The UFC’s top bantamweight prospect Payton Talbott scored the biggest win of his career when he ran through the former two-time flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC 332 last weekend (Saturday, October 3, 2026) at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah (watch the highlights).
Immediately after, Talbott called out the former Bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley.
“You can’t run forever,” Talbott said.
Earlier in the week, Talbott claimed that O’Malley had refused to fight him UFC Freedom 250. Now “Suga” is turning it down – and says he never had that offer.
“We’ll address the allegations of ducking first,” O’Malley said SuGuru Exhibition. “I don’t like bringing my family into this, but I swear on my family’s behalf that I was not offered Payton Talbott in the White House.
“Here’s the thing: If he can swear he did it, there was a miscommunication somewhere along the line.”
O’Malley, however, believes Talbott simply made the story up.
“I feel like he made it up,” O’Malley continued. “I don’t think he’s ever been offered. I can’t imagine they’d offer anybody a fight without asking A-side ‘Suga’. They asked this guy? They asked me. I was never offered Payton Talbott in the White House, so there’s that. He asked me out and it sounds good.”
O’Malley isn’t opposed to fighting Talbott, especially if Peter Yan forfeits his upcoming rubber match against the Bantamweight Champion Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 333 later this month.
However, if Yan wins the title again, “Suga” would prefer a tougher – and more rewarding – matchup.
“If Petr goes out and loses, let’s fight,” O’Malley said. “Me and Payton will make it happen. If Petr goes out and wins, I’ll give up Talbott for a tougher fight. I’ll give him up for Petr Yan.”
O’Malley also pointed to his recent strong schedule as proof that he’s never shied away from tough competition.
“Four of my last seven fights have been against three of the greatest bantamweights of all time: Petr, Aljamain Sterling and Merab,” O’Malley said. “And I beat Merab once, so I’ve beaten all three of the greatest bantamweights of all time. I don’t throw.”
O’Malley then joked that he didn’t exactly fit the profile of Talbott’s two previous opponents. The 28-year-old prospect has now defeated former flyweight champion Figueiredo and Henry Cejudoboth of whom are considerably shorter and older than him.
“Why should I fight this f-king tall, skinny, good striker when I can fight Petr Yan?” O’Malley was joking. “Should I go down to 25 and then bounce back up?”
Despite questioning Talbott’s version of events, O’Malley remains a fan of the up-and-coming contender and appreciates the free publicity that came with the spotlight.
“I remember watching Payton Talbott Contender seriesand I was like, ‘This mom is sick,'” O’Malley said. “I knew I would probably fight him someday.
“I like his style in and out of the Octagon. He’s got punch. That’s what you want in sports. You want people to call you out. You want your name out there. It’s a fun stylistic fight. I love it. It’s good for me.”
Before O’Malley v. Several pieces still need to fall into place for Talbott to become a reality, starting with a UFC 333 Bantamweight title fight.
But after Talbott’s public appeal and O’Malley’s response, the groundwork has officially been laid.
Click for complete UFC 332 results, coverage and highlights HERE.