Frank Ocean is no stranger to dropping breadcrumbs that send fans spiraling—and this time, the trail leads straight to a UFC octagon. Back in August 2024, Ocean shared a casual photo of him dining with UFC fighter Payton Talbott, sparking a flurry of online speculation. Since then, he’s posted moments from Talbott’s fights and even featured him in a Valentine’s Day Instagram story. Naturally, the internet did what it does best: ask, “Wait, are they…?”
Photo Credit: @blondedRELATED: No New Music, Instead Ocean Wants To Arouse Us In A Different Way
So who exactly is Payton Talbott, and why might he be giving Frank butterflies—or at the very least, serious muse energy?
Photo Credit: @blondedLet’s start with the basics. Payton Anthony Talbott, born September 9, 1998, is a rising star in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he currently competes in the bantamweight division. At just 26 years old, he’s making waves not only with his performance in the cage (he won his promotional debut in November 2023 via submission) but also with his unique personality, style, and—let’s be honest—his heartthrob potential.
O namorado do frank ocean, payton talbott postou esse vídeo dele no Instagram pic.twitter.com/6FvVYMoumy
— francisco (@frankpalmiteiro) February 15, 2025
But this isn’t your stereotypical fighter. Talbott is a self-described creative soul who didn’t even like MMA until his senior year of high school. Before the gloves, there was music: he played the guitar, dabbled with the trombone, and taught himself the violin. His vinyl collection includes The Doors, Pink Floyd, Neil Young, Tupac, and the Bee Gees—eclectic enough to make any music fan swoon. He’s also into skateboarding, cliff diving, and pole dancing (yes, seriously—his mom and sister are pole fitness instructors). So, yeah. Talbott might just be the most Frank Ocean-coded UFC fighter of all time.
When asked about the nature of his relationship with Frank during The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, Talbott didn’t offer much—but what he did say was telling. “It was kind of strange, just unexpected at first,” he said about receiving a DM from Frank.
“That’s like the last person I would have expected, but after meeting him, he’s just a normal person. He’s a very special person and very gifted and just like brilliant, but I don’t know, he’s just a person.”
Payton Talbott on his friendship with Frank Ocean:
“It was kind of strange, just unexpected at first. That’s like the last person I would have expected, but after meeting him, he’s just a normal person.
He’s a very special person and very gifted and just like brilliant, but I… pic.twitter.com/1AO0aAukeA
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) June 30, 2025
Talbott also revealed that he has no idea how he ended up on Frank’s radar: “The universe just connects people and has a weird way with the strings.” And even though Frank’s not necessarily an MMA fan, the two connect through their shared appreciation for artistry. “There’s a parallel between music and martial arts,” Talbott explained. “He gets it.”
Photo Credit: @paytontalbottWhen asked if he’s a Frank fan himself, Talbott didn’t hesitate—naming “DHL” as his favorite track.
Photo Credit: @blonded
Whether the two are dating or just vibing on a deeply artistic wavelength, one thing is clear: this is a crossover no one saw coming, but now we can’t stop thinking about. And let’s not ignore the fact that Frank did post Talbott’s picture on Valentine’s Day—the most suggestive soft launch move in the book.
Photo Credit: @blondedTalbott, for his part, doesn’t seem to be bothered by the attention. In fact, his unique mix of athletic grit and artsy sensitivity makes him kind of a dreamboat. He edits his own fight promos for YouTube, recently met his childhood icon Tony Hawk, and is raising the bar for what it means to be a multidimensional athlete.
As for Frank Ocean, he continues to exist in the dreamlike ether between mystery and meaning—only now, he may have found someone who dances along that line just as beautifully.
So are they a couple? Friends? A new genre of Fight-Art-Music duo? We may never know. But if Payton Talbott ends up soundtracking his next fight with Blonde, or Frank dedicates a track to “The Octagon,” just remember: it all started with a DM.