Payton Talbott Targets Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC 332

Payton Talbott is chasing a third straight win, and the UFC has lined up a name-value target to get it. A bantamweight bout between the 11-1 prospect and former flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo is being targeted for UFC 332 on Oct. 3 at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City. Both fighters have agreed to the matchup, though contracts aren't signed yet.

It's a classic crossroads booking. Figueiredo (25-7-1) is the ninth-ranked bantamweight but firmly on the back foot after losing his last two — a decision to Umar Nurmagomedov and a second-round submission to Song Yadong. Zoom out and it's uglier: the Brazilian has won just one of his last five, a split-decision squeaker over Montel Jackson sandwiched between losses to Petr Yan and Cory Sandhagen.

Talbott, meanwhile, is trending the opposite direction. The former A1 Combat champ has gone 5-1 inside the octagon, with his only pro loss coming to Raoni Barcelos early in 2025. He answered it immediately, banking decision wins over Felipe Lima and — more notably — former two-division champion Henry Cejudo later that year.

Why It Makes Sense for Both

For Talbott, beating a former champion who still holds a top-10 ranking is exactly the kind of scalp that moves you up the queue. For Figueiredo, it's survival math. Drop a third straight against a younger, rising fighter and the conversation shifts from title contention to job security, especially at 135 where he's already spent his flyweight title equity.

The stylistic read is interesting. Figueiredo has finished as many fights as he's won by other means — nine knockouts and nine submissions across his 25 victories — so he's dangerous everywhere if the fight lasts long enough for his experience to matter. Talbott's problem to solve is closing rounds against a proven finisher who's fought and beaten the division's very best.

UFC 332 doesn't have a confirmed headliner yet, so this bout slots in as a strong supporting piece with real ranking implications. If it holds together on paper, it's a genuine test of whether Talbott is a contender or just a good story — and whether Figueiredo has anything left at 135.