A different breed

Talbott: Why does my image and what I wear have anything to do with my fighting? And even if it did – what do you care? — NYT

ON a baking-hot night in Las Vegas at the end of June, Payton Talbott stood in a chain link cage across from a man he needed to hurt.

He dropped his arms loose to his sides and shook them out. His mouth hung slightly open, eyes flat and expressionless. His opponent stared back.