Sean O’Malley Reveals He’ll ‘Duck’ Payton Talbott to Fight Petr Yan if Merab Dvalishvili Loses

Petr Yan vs. Merab Dvalishvili, bantamweight title fight, is set to headline UFC 333 on 24 October. However, the division is actively moving, with contenders like Payton Talbott and Song Yadong winning their fights. 

Meanwhile, former champion Sean O’Malley is sitting out while waiting for the right fight at the moment. However, he has already made up his mind about what comes next. 

Sean O’Malley Reveals His Next Move

Payton Talbott defeated former flyweight champion Deiveson Figueredo via a first-round knockout at UFC 332 last Saturday and called out Sean O’Malley in the Octagon interview. 

Meanwhile, O’Malley, who is accused of ducking Talbott for a White House fight, claimed he will take the fight only on one condition: only if Merab Dvalishvili wins at UFC 333. 

In an interview with the MMA Guru, O’Malley first addressed the ducking allegations. He said, “We'll address the ducking allegations first of all…I did not get offered Payton Talbott at the White House. And here's the thing: if he could also swear that he did, then there was miscommunication somewhere on the line. I feel like he made it up. I don't think he ever got offered me. I can't imagine them offering someone a fight without, you know, asking the sugar.”

In the same vein, while talking about fighting Talbott next, O’Malley said, “He called me out. And that sounds like good. That sounds good. Peter goes out there and loses. Let's squabble. Me and Peyton. Let's make it happen. Peter goes out there and wins. I'm ducking him. I'm ducking him for a tougher fight. Ducking him for Peter Yan.”

While Payton Talbott vs. Sean O’Malley would be a fantasy match-up for the fans, O’Malley’s sights are set on the title first. He also confronted the champion about it. 

O’Malley Reveals His Conversation with Petr Yan

In the same interview, Sean O’Malley revealed he has talked about the fight with the Russian champion Petr Yan. In a voice note he sent to the champion, O’Malley said, “Petr, what’s up buddy. Hope you’re doing well. Hope you beat Merab so I can beat your as* again.”

The champion acknowledged O’Malley's message but is focused on the upcoming defense against Merab Dvalishvili. He replied, “Sean, hello. Coming to Abu Dhabi. I smash Merab and you will next.”

Yan and O’Malley crossed paths in 2022 at UFC 280. O’Malley defeated Yan via a split decision. However, many fans and critics deemed the result controversial. Thus, a rematch will end the debate once and for all.