Daniel Cormier predicts bright UFC future for Payton Talbott after KO win at UFC 332

In the co-main event of UFC 332, fans were expecting a back-and-forth battle between Payton Talbott and Deiveson Figueiredo. However, Talbott made it look easy and made quick work of Figueiredo. He knocked out the former UFC champion in just 2:09 of the first round, leaving fans stunned with his spectacular performance.

Talbott has left a lasting impression on fans, as he secured back-to-back victories over two former UFC champions in his last two outings. At UFC 332, he made a statement that he is the real deal in the division, and former UFC two-division champion Daniel Cormier believes the same. Cormier has reacted to the win and heaped praise on the 28-year-old.

Daniel Cormier backs Payton Talbott for UFC championship after stunning UFC 332 win

Cormier was impressed by Talbott's physical attributes, confidence, and continued development. Speaking on his YouTube channel, he highlighted the fact that the 28-year-old has already demonstrated his ability to compete against elite wrestlers after outwrestling Cejudo.

“Talbott is a real problem for everybody in the UFC band of weight division. He is huge, he's confident, he can knock you out. We saw him out wrestle Henry Cejudo.He's only 28 years old. And every time he comes into the octagon, he's better. He's better.That's what you want to see,” Cormier said. 

Cormier also agreed with the assessment of Jon Anik that Talbott could eventually become a UFC world champion, particularly after seeing how easily he handled Figueiredo.

“Jon Anik said he feels like Talbott is a future UFC world champion. I can't say that I don't agree with him after watching what he did to Deiveson Figueiredo tonight. Figueiredo twice became a UFC world champion. Talbott wiped him out. It was not competitive. It was not competitive for 20 seconds of that fight. It was a man facing a person that did not deserve to be in the octagon with him. That's how he made that look,” Cormier added. 

Check out Daniel Cormier's comments below:

Who could be the next challenge for Payton Talbott?

With the impressive knockout victory over Figueiredo, Talbott extended his win streak to three and currently holds a professional record of 12 wins and just one loss, which came at the hands of Raoni Barcelos in January 2025.

In the octagon interview at UFC 332, Talbott expressed his desire to face another former UFC champion and called out Sean O'Malley.

"I've just mopped the floor with two champions back-to-back," Talbott said. "I want another one. Sean O'Malley, you can't run forever. Give the people what they want."

Check out Payton Talbott's comments below: