Overview
- Payton Talbott publicly called out Sean O’Malley after he stopped former champion Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC 332, prompting widespread calls for the pairing.
- Sean O’Malley has signaled he would consider Talbott only if a rematch or immediate title shot does not materialize.
- Tim Welch spoke Friday and described the bout as a “sick” fight, insisted the UFC never formally offered Talbott to O’Malley’s camp, and noted a title fight would pay more than a non‑title matchup.
- Commentators Daniel Cormier and Henry Cejudo have pushed for Talbott–O’Malley and accused the promotion of protecting O’Malley, a claim Welch rejected by pointing to willing opponents such as Marcus McGhee.
- No fight is booked and the matchup’s chance now depends on the bantamweight title picture, with the next title developments likely shaping whether O’Malley takes a big non‑title fight or waits for a shot at the belt.