Sean O’Malley Sets Condition to Face Rising Star Payton Talbott With Bantamweight Title Fight Right Around the Corner

Payton Talbott made a huge statement last weekend at UFC 332 when he stopped Deiveson Figueiredo in the first round. Right after, the rising star called out Sean O’Malley to a striker vs striker matchup.

MMA fans loves it whenever a striker faces off against another. However, ‘Suga’ is a calculated businessman and wouldn’t jump out to accept the matchup.

This is because the bantamweight title is on the line this month when Petr Yan faces Merab Dvalishvili in a trilogy bout at UFC 333. Yan and Dvalishvili are 1-1 in their rivalry, and O’Malley could face the winner depending on the situation.

He called me out and that sounds like good. Petr goes out there and loses, let’s swap. Me and Payton (Talbott), let’s make it happen. Petr goes out there and wins, I’m ducking him (Talbott). I’m ducking him for a tougher fight. I’m ducking him for Petr Yan. Why would I fight this tall, lengthy good striker when I can fight Petr Yan.

Sean O’Malley via The SuGuru Show

Sean O’Malley denies White House fight offer from Payton Talbott, claims he’ll "duck" him if Petr Yan wins: "I swear on my family, I did not get offered Payton Talbott at the White House… He called me out, and that sounds good. Petr goes out there and loses, let’s squabble. Me and Payton, let’s make it happen. Petr goes out there and wins, I’m ducking him. I’m ducking him for a tougher fight… I ain’t ducking!" Via: @SugaSeanMMA

— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) October 5, 2026

Sean O’Malley also clarified on the podcast that he was not offered a fight against Talbott at UFC Freedom 250. Talbott claimed that ‘Suga’ ducked him to fight Aiemann Zahabi at the White House. However, O’Malley swore on his family that the fight was not offered to him.

When it comes to the next title shot in the bantamweight division, Song Yadong is also in the running as well. Despite O’Malley edging Yadong via decision in January, the Chinese star came back with two consecutive wins in May and August.

Yadong submitted Figueiredo in the second round and later knocked out Umar Nurmagomedov in a stunning upset. The KO over Nurmagomedov impressed O’Malley in such a way that he offered the title shot to Yadong if Dvalishvili wins at UFC 333.

At the same time, if Yan wins, the title shot will likely go to O’Malley. This is because he has a win over Yan and remains a huge name in the bantamweight division. As such, the rematch between Yan and ‘Suga’ will be a lucrative fight for the UFC.

This is why O’Malley is waiting for the matchup between Yan and Dvalishvili to conclude so that he can make his next move. In the mean time, Talbott may not get the matchup that he wanted and will have to face other veteran contenders in the division.

Henry Cejudo picks Payton Talbott to become champion and defeat Sean O’Malley

Former flyweight and bantamweight champion Henry Cejudo faced Talbott in his final UFC bout before retiring. Their encounter at UFC 323 saw Talbott outstrike Cejudo in a three-round thriller. As such, ‘Triple C’ knows what the rising star is capable of.

Cejudo shares an intense rivalry with Sean O’Malley. This is because the duo hurl insults at each other whenever they can. Cejudo made a bold claim about Talbott vs O’Malley if that happens next.

I’m gonna tell you, Payton Talbott stops Sean O’Malley within three rounds… and I’m not hating on Sean.

Henry Cejudo via P4P podcast

The former flyweight and bantamweight champion didn’t stop there. He also revealed that Talbott could become a champion next year if top contenders fight the rising star.

He (Talbott) will become champion middle of 2027. I think he beats everybody. Nobody wants to fight him, including Sean. Give him Sean O’Malley. That’s the fight that people wanna see. I guarantee you that Payton will finish him.

Henry Cejudo via P4P podcast

Could Payton Talbott KO Sean O’Malley? 👀 #UFC #UFC332 #MMA #PaytonTalbott https://t.co/lLpQZ6eQKA

— Pound 4 Pound (@pound4poundshow) October 5, 2026

Despite the praise from Cejudo, his co-host Kamaru Usman was not convinced by this reasoning. Usman felt that there were contenders like Nurmagomedov, Yadong and Cory Sandhagen ahead of Talbott.

Talbott’s next fight will certainly depend on the result of UFC 333. It remains to be seen if the rising star will take on O’Malley next or face another contender before facing someone in the top 5.

Also Read:

• Henry Cejudo Offers Firsthand Account of Hidden Belal Muhammad and Kamaru Usman Podcast Brawl
• Sean O’Malley Reveals Ilia Topuria’s ‘Bantamweight’ Brother Doesn’t Like Him