Payton Talbott wasn’t surprised about ‘tough’ UFC 317 opponent ‘This isn’t build-the-star business’

Rising Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Bantamweight prospect Payton Talbott returns to the Octagon against fellow standout Felipe Lima this weekend (Sat., June 28, 2025), at UFC 317 inside T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Following his first professional loss in his most recent fight, many anticipated Talbott would face a less challenging opponent to rebuild momentum. Instead, the UFC matched him with Lima, a formidable prospect who has been dominant inside the Octagon.

Talbott, unfazed by the difficult matchup, revealed that the UFC struggled to find him an alternative opponent on short notice.

opportunity to show what I can do as well with a high-level opponent.”

Talbott is currently a +154 betting underdog.

LIVE! Watch UFC 317 PPV On ESPN+ Here!

CHAMPIONSHIP DOUBLE-DIP! Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) continues its 2025 pay-per-view (PPV) schedule on Sat., June 28, 2025, with a championship doubleheader headlining UFC 317 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, as part of International Fight Week. In UFC 317’s PPV main event, former Featherweight champion, Ilia Topuria, challenges ex-Lightweight titleholder, Charles Oliveira, for Islam Makhachev’s vacated 155-pound title in a high-stakes, five-round showdown. UFC 317’s PPV co-main event features Flyweight kingpin, Alexandre Pantoja, defending his 125-pound belt against No. 4-seeded contender, Kai Kara-France, in an electrifying five-round rematch. UFC 317 will also showcase a Lightweight bout between Beneil Dariush vs. Renato Moicano, as well as a short-notice Flyweight clash pitting Brandon Royval vs. Joshua Van, and much more! UFC 317’s start time is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET (“Early Prelims”), 8 p.m. ET (“Prelims” undercard), and 10 p.m. ET (PPV main card).

Don’t miss a single second of EPIC face-punching action!

MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC 317 fight card right RIGHT HERE, starting with the early ESPN+ “Prelims” matches at 6:30 p.m. ET, followed by the remaining undercard balance on ESPN/ESPN+ at 8 p.m. ET, before the UFC 317 PPV main card start time at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN+ PPV.

To check out the latest and greatest UFC 317: “Topuria vs. Oliveira” news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archive right here. For the updated and finalized UFC 317 fight card and PPV lineup click here.