'Weight lifted' ... Payton Talbott reacts to essential UFC 317 victory

Nevada's Talbott entered the UFC with a lot of hype, on the back of a barn-burning performance on Dana White's Contender Series. His momentum reached fever pitch with back-to-back victories in the Octagon, capped off by a nineteen-second knockout on Alex Pereira's UFC 303 undercard.

Perhaps pushed too hard, Talbott was then booked against perennial contender Raoni Barcelos, who proceeded to big brother the young buck to a three-round decision victory. Talbott's next booking at UFC 317, Felipe Lima, was about as tough a comeback fight that you could ask for.

However, Talbott pulled out all the stops, bullying Lima to secure a unanimous decision victory. In the process, he snapped Lima's fourteen-fight winning streak.

Payton Talbott reflects on UFC 317 victory, 'Most like a fighter I've ever felt'

Reflecting on his win at the UFC 317 post-fight presser, Talbott admitted a weight had been lifted.

"Big weight lifted off my shoulders," Talbott said. "Feels good to know that I can improve during a fight... And just stick to the cause. It felt like I showed up as my best self tonight.

". . . This is probably the biggest win. It makes me feel the most like a fighter that I've ever felt. . . . I love the push and pull, and peeling people's layers. All of it."

With any luck, Talbott will get a crack at the bantamweight rankings in his next outing.