UFC bantamweight prospect Payton Talbott doesn't see anything positive about the lopsided betting odds for his upcoming return to action.
After beginning life on mixed martial arts' biggest stage with two victories at the Apex, Talbott is set for his first taste of UFC competition in front of a sold-out crowd as he looks to make an impression during this year's edition of International Fight Week.
The 25-year-old has extended his perfect record to 8-0 with wins over Nick Aguirre and Cameron Saaiman inside the Octagon thus far. Next up, the Las Vegas native is tasked with dispatching Yanis Ghemmouri on the preliminary card of UFC 303 this Saturday.
Given his two performances in the UFC to date, it's no surprise that Talbott will make the walk at T-Mobile Arena as the favorite. What has shocked some, though, is the fact that he could close as the biggest favorite in the promotion's history...
Talbott On 'Crazy' UFC 303 Odds: 'If You Don't Absolutely Demolish The Person...'
During a recent appearance on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, Talbott was asked about the lopsided betting lines, which currently have him at -1600 on DraftKings compared to his opponent's +900 figure.
The rising bantamweight admitted the odds were "crazy," and he went on to note that the heavy favorite status leaves him in a difficult position should he not run through his French opponent with ease on fight night.
Yeah, I've seen a little bit (about the odds). People send me all kind of stuff," Talbott said. "It's kind of crazy. ... It's kind of funny. It kind of sets you up for failure, though. Because it's like, if you don't absolutely demolish the person in the first round, it's like, 'Why were you such a big favorite, you know?
Not really," Talbott continued when asked whether his favorite status adds pressure. "But it is one of those things where it's like, you are expected to absolutely outclass the guy and demolish the dude. And if you don't — I think if you remember, in my debut fight I was like, a -900 favorite. I didn't finish him until the third round and you can see how much the betting line swayed.
Nevertheless, Talbott will look to push the expectations of fans and pundits to the back of his mind and focus on the task at hand on Saturday night.
While no longer on the undercard of the sport's biggest superstar in Conor McGregor, all eyes are still expected to be on the UFC 303 event. And having had his skills confined to the Apex up to this point, Talbott will no doubt hope to make a splash.
