Sean O'Malley showed up in New Jersey for a UFC press conference on Friday, but he might as well have skipped it.
The main focus this week has been on keeping Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland away from each other ahead of their fight on Saturday.
But before the two even made it to the octagon, security was already busy at the UFC White House press conference, dealing with a few other scuffles.
The most notable incident came when Josh Hokit clashed with Alex Pereira and Ilia Topuria. O'Malley was sat between them, playing more of a spectator role than anything else.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Sean O'Malley and Diego Lopes were among the few fighters who didn't field any questions during the session, while others like Kyle Daukaus, Bo Nickal and Michael Chandler spoke with reporters.
The presser wrapped up earlier than expected after security had to remove Hokit following his exchange with Topuria. That timing might have played a part in why no questions came O'Malley's way, despite his status as a former champion and someone often highlighted by Dana White as a star in the sport.
O'Malley's quiet appearance didn't go unnoticed online, with fans weighing in on social media. Among some of their comments:
The former bantamweight champion has struggled to regain his old momentum after dropping back-to-back fights against Merab Dvalishvili – first losing his title, then failing to reclaim it in their rematch.
You can check out fan reactions to Sean O'Malley's silent appearance below:
"The O'Malley stardom has died. Lasted like 1 year."
"Kyle Daukaus got asked more questions than the 'superstar' Sean O'Malley."
"O'Malley lost too much aura from the Merab fights."
"Sean O'Malley not being asked a single question is WILD."
"How did Chandler get a question and not these two (O'Malley and Lopes)?"
"He could have stayed home."
"O'Malley lost all of his aura a long time ago."
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