Frank Ocean continues to ignite dating rumours with UFC fighter Payton Talbott as he posts shirtless snap
Though neither has confirmed a relationship, dating rumours have swirled since Valentine’s posts, dinner outings and now a topless Instagram Story
By Aaron Sugg
Frank Ocean has continued to ignite dating rumours with UFC fighter Payton Talbott, posting a shirtless snap together over the weekend.
The Grammy Award-winning artist seemingly came out in 2012 after opening up about his first true love for another man in his debut album, Channel Orange.
In the Instagram Story, Ocean is stood next to the professional mixed martial artist, who was wiping something from his face. The image quickly fuelled speculation online, with fans debating whether the two are a couple.
“That’s a good-looking couple right there!” one fan commented on Facebook. Another wrote on X: “Frank’s new boo got the internet in shambles.”
“Gotta cook tonight P” – Frank Ocean supporting Payton Talbott for one of his UFC fights
Rumours first connected the 37-year-old singer and Talbott, 26, more than a year ago, when they were spotted together at lunch.
The speculation grew stronger on Valentine’s Day this year, when Ocean posted a photo of the fighter on his social media, reigniting fan theories.
He later showed public support ahead of one of Talbott’s matches, writing on Instagram: “Gotta cook tonight P.”
In an interview with The New York Times last month, Talbott spoke about his private life, saying: “Who I’m trying to have sex with is none of your business, unless I’m trying to have sex with you.”
“A bunch of people staring at you” – Payton Talbott appearing on Ocean’s Instagram story
He added: “I don’t feel I owe anyone anything. I’m just going to try to be myself, and the people who get it will get it.”
The fighter addressed the attention again in June while promoting his match with Felipe Lima. Asked about appearing on Ocean’s Instagram, he said: “Yeah, it’s like, you know, when you go to a zoo and you see a polar bear inside a zoo, it’s probably how the polar bear feels—just a bunch of people staring at you.”
When asked if he could urge Ocean to release new music, he added: “To drop what? More music? No. That’s his decision.”