O'Malley Sets Conditions for Talbott Bout Based on Yan-Dvalishvili Trilogy Outcome

Key points

• Payton Talbott defeated former champion Deiveson Figueiredo via knockout in 129 seconds at UFC 332 in Salt Lake City, extending his winning streak to four fights.
• O'Malley stated on his podcast that he will fight Talbott if Dvalishvili wins the bantamweight title trilogy against Yan on October 24 in Abu Dhabi.
• If Yan retains the title, O'Malley intends to pursue a rematch with Yan rather than face Talbott, citing his recent high-level competition.
• O'Malley denied receiving an offer to fight Talbott at the White House in June, calling the claim a miscommunication or fabrication by Talbott.
• Henry Cejudo, who recently lost to Talbott, criticized the UFC for 'protecting' O'Malley and demanded the Talbott-O'Malley fight be signed immediately.

Background

This dispute follows O'Malley's recent knockout victory over Aiemann Zahabi and his ongoing pursuit of a rematch against current champion Petr Yan. Talbott has been gaining momentum by defeating former champions, including Cejudo and Figueiredo, positioning himself as a top contender in the bantamweight division. The upcoming UFC 333 event in Abu Dhabi is pivotal for determining the next title challenger.

How outlets are covering it

While Bloody Elbow and MMA Fighting focus on O'Malley's conditional acceptance and his denial of the White House rumor, Sports Illustrated highlights the external pressure from Henry Cejudo, who believes the UFC is unfairly shielding O'Malley from Talbott. Nevada Sports Net confirmed the basic facts of Talbott's victory and callout but provided minimal analysis. All sources agree that the outcome of the Yan-Dvalishvili trilogy is the deciding factor for the O'Malley-Talbott matchup.

Why it matters

The result of the Yan-Dvalishvili trilogy will directly impact the bantamweight division's hierarchy. If Dvalishvili wins, O'Malley's path to a title shot may be blocked, making a fight against Talbott a likely next step to maintain his ranking and momentum. Conversely, a Yan victory would prioritize a rematch, potentially delaying Talbott's ascent despite his impressive recent wins.

What to watch

The bantamweight title trilogy between Petr Yan and Merab Dvalishvili is scheduled for October 24 at UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi. The outcome of this fight will determine whether O'Malley pursues a rematch with Yan or accepts Talbott's callout. Cejudo has publicly demanded the UFC sign the Talbott-O'Malley contract regardless of the trilogy result.