Payton Talbott Responds to Adin Ross’ $50K Bounty After NSFW ‘DM’ Exchange

Rising bantamweight contender Payton Talbott goes on a heated rant aimed towards Adin Ross and the streaming community.

Payton Talbott Responds to Adin Ross’ $50K Bounty After NSFW ‘DM’ Exchange

Payton Talbott calls out Adin Ross (via Dexterto, LVRJ)

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Social media personalities and UFC fighters often clash over privacy concerns and the bold commentary standard among influencers. These differences surfaced again when Adin Ross called out rising bantamweight Payton Talbott. The situation escalated after Talbott sent Ross a graphic picture in response to online remarks. Their exchange highlighted ongoing friction between athletes and influencers.

Talbott is regarded as one of the fastest-developing bantamweights in the UFC. Before UFC 311, he had built a three-fight win streak since his debut. His momentum stalled when Raoni Barcelos outclassed him at that event. He rebounded at UFC 323 by defeating former champion Henry Cejudo by unanimous decision. That win marked a major milestone in his career and firmly pushed him back into the division.

The feud traces back to Ross inviting Talbott onto his stream before UFC 323. Talbott declined, instead sending a naked photo with the message “stream these instead.” Ross replied by threatening legal action and offering $50,000 to any bantamweight who could knock the rising contender out. This set the stage for Talbott to address the situation and his stance on streamers recently.

I recently saw he put a bounty on my head… Then he said he was going to sue me, I’m sure he was joking or whatever. But that’s kind of my point. The one thing he can do to maintain relevance is to put a ******* bounty on my head? That’s why I said no in the first place. That’s the gripe I have with streaming culture. He has no ability to do anything to me so he’s offering money to someone else to produce some kind of viral moment. That’s why I don’t like it. It’s vampiric and leechy.

Payton Talbott via The Ariel Helwani Show

Talbott criticized “streaming culture,” saying it leans on shock tactics and clout rather than substance. However, his view stands in contrast to former fighters, including Rampage Jackson, who have embraced streaming. Jackson recently claimed that his streaming income surpassed his UFC earnings within eight months. Their differing experiences show how athletes view online platforms differently.

Adin Ross remains a prominent voice in MMA circles and was recently seen training with Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev ahead of UFC 322. He also became involved in a dispute with Khamzat Chimaev after claiming the Chechen’s team requested $700,000 for a stream appearance. However, Ross later apologized for the controversy, stating he had misunderstood the situation.

Talbott’s win over former two-division champion Cejudo at UFC 323 elevated his standing, even with the bout marking Cejudo’s retirement. The performance showcased Payton Talbott’s evolving skillset at the elite level. At the same time, his ongoing controversy with Adin Ross keeps his name in headlines. Together, both developments are expected to boost his visibility and marketability in the future.

Payton Talbott talks about Henry Cejudo’s comments to Dana White after UFC 323

Payton Talbott’s win wasn’t just about defeating a legend; it also highlighted his evolution as a complete fighter. Over three rounds, he mixed sharp striking with well-timed wrestling to control Cejudo, including a clean inside-trip takedown and heavy shots that caused visible damage. The performance showed how far he has advanced from his earlier grappling-centric style.

Payton Talbott vs Henry Cejudo at UFC 323
Payton Talbott vs Henry Cejudo at UFC 323 (via X)

However, a quiet but powerful moment followed Talbott’s victory at UFC 323. After the final bell, Cejudo, who was battered, bloodied, and emotionally spent, walked directly to UFC CEO Dana White to make a simple request: to ensure Talbott’s future in the promotion. That gesture reportedly moved Talbott deeply, to the point that he recently admitted he almost cried when he saw it.

That actually meant a lot to me and almost made me kind of tear up, man. I don’t really be crying too often. Henry gets all kinds of flak, but at his core, man, he is a very generous guy, and a solid dude, man.

Payton Talbott via The Ariel Helwani Show

‘Triple C’ showing care for Talbott appeared to stem from his own complicated relationship with the UFC, having faced both triumphs and setbacks in the promotion. Payton Talbott’s emotional reaction may have been influenced by the fact that he previously trained with Cejudo, creating a personal connection that made the moment even more significant and heartfelt.

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