Payton Talbott Says Sean O'Malley Fight Was Discussed
Payton Talbott says a Sean O'Malley fight was in the works before he was booked vs Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC 332.
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Payton Talbott says a fight against former UFC bantamweight champion Sean O'Malley was in the works before he instead landed his upcoming bout with Deiveson Figueiredo.
Talbott, who is 5-1 inside the Octagon, returns to action this Saturday when he meets Figueiredo in the co-main event at UFC 332. It's the biggest name Talbott has faced to date, and now he's revealed that an even bigger showdown with O'Malley had been on the table before the Figueiredo fight came together.
What Talbott Said About the O'Malley Fight
Talbott confirmed that talks for a matchup with Sean O'Malley had genuinely progressed before the promotion pivoted to booking him opposite Figueiredo instead. O'Malley, who lost his bantamweight title and has been searching for a signature win to get back into the title picture, remains one of the biggest draws in the 135-pound division. A fight between the two would pair one of the sport's most marketable stars with one of its fastest-rising prospects.
For now, that fight stays on ice. Talbott's full focus is on Figueiredo, a former flyweight champion who adds real name value and danger to Saturday's co-main event slot.
Betting Angle
Talbott enters UFC 332 unbeaten through his first six Octagon appearances, and oddsmakers have treated him as the betting favorite in big bantamweight bookings throughout his rise. A win over a former two-division threat like Figueiredo would only strengthen his case as next in line for a shot at the 135-pound title picture, and it would make a future Talbott-O'Malley pairing a far easier sell at the box office and on the betting board. A loss would likely push any O'Malley conversation to the back burner. Bettors watching the bantamweight division should treat Saturday's result as the real line in the sand for whether the Talbott-O'Malley fight resurfaces as a live betting market down the road.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Payton Talbott almost fight Sean O'Malley?
Payton Talbott said a fight against Sean O'Malley was in the works before he was instead booked against Deiveson Figueiredo for UFC 332.
Who is Payton Talbott fighting next?
Payton Talbott faces former flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo in the co-main event of UFC 332.
What is Payton Talbott's UFC record?
Payton Talbott is 5-1 inside the UFC Octagon heading into his co-main event bout against Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC 332.
