Cody Garbrandt Challenges Sean O'Malley In Response To UFC 292 Withdrawal Taunts: 'Once Aljo Mops The Canvas With You...'

While UFC bantamweight contender Sean O'Malley is a day away from his first championship opportunity on MMA's biggest stage, not all of his attention at Thursday's press conference was on Aljamain Sterling.

In his first remarks, "Sugar" took a shot at former titleholder Cody Garbrandt. The pair previously went back and forth at the UFC 269 fight week presser back in December 2021.

That incident looked set to repeat itself ahead of UFC 292 this weekend, with "No Love" originally scheduled to collide with a training partner of O'Malley's, Mario Bautista, on the pay-per-view main card.

Last week, however, news emerged of Garbrandt's withdrawal though injury. In the ex-champ's place, Da'Mon Blackshear took to the stage last night ahead of a record-tying seven-day turnaround.

In the aftermath of Garbrandt pulling out, O'Malley was quick to mock during a podcast episode. In addition to suggesting that the decision has prevented another knockout loss, "Sugar" joked that "No Love" was likely seeking to dodge another press conference interaction.

Garbrandt Hits Back At O'Malley

Shortly after O'Malley's presser comments, which saw him question his absence on stage, Garbrandt responded to a tweet alerting him to the number one bantamweight contender's insult.

In response, the former divisional kingpin accused O'Malley of having an "infatuation with him. Garbrandt also claimed he'd be more than willing to share the cage with "Sugar" following this weekend's event, at which he expects the challenger to be firmly beaten.