UFC 323 live blog: Henry Cejudo vs. Payton Talbott

This is the UFC 323 live blog for Henry Cejudo vs. Payton Talbott, the main card bantamweight bout Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

A two-division UFC champion and Olympic gold medalist, Cejudo (16-5) fights for the final time in his illustrious career when he steps into the cage tonight. Cejudo is 0-3 since returning to competition in 2023, with losses to then-champion Aljamain Sterling, future champion Merab Dvalishvili, and top contender Song Yadong. At 38, Cejudo has finally decided to call it a career.

Talbott (10-1) is one of the brightest prospects at 135 pounds. The 27-year-old has had an eventful 2025, suffering his first loss to the more experienced Raoni Barcelos and then bouncing back with a decision win over the highly touted Felipe Lima. Now, Talbott has the chance to put a legend to rest if he can continue to live up to his considerable hype.

Check out the UFC 323 live blog for Henry Cejudo vs. Payton Talbott below.

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Preamble

This is it. The final UFC walk for Henry Cejudo. Soak it in, people!

For Payton Talbott, the chance to add a legend to his young résumé. Can he close the experience gap?

Always tell me the odds

The young gunner Talbott closes as a sizeable favorite at -270 on FanDuel, with Cejudo a +200 underdog.

Round 1

Chris Tognoni oversees this one.

Fast leg kicks from Cejudo to start. Talbott searches with a long jab. Hard 1-2 by Talbott. Great movement from Talbott, but Cejudo catches him with a leg kick. Talbott looking to launch punches down the middle. Long jab catches Cejudo. Another 1-2 from Talbott, Cejudo too slow to avoid that right now. Talbott with knees to the body as they clinch. Cejudo staying aggressive but he keeps getting tagged going in.