Sean O’Malley showed up to the UFC White House press conference in New Jersey on Friday, but you’d be forgiven for thinking he never made it. The former bantamweight champion sat through the entire event without fielding a single question, leaving fans questioning his so-called "superstar" status.

The press conference was already buzzing with tension, as UFC officials worked overtime to keep Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland apart ahead of their Saturday showdown. But before those two even stepped into the octagon, security had their hands full with another scuffle. The main drama came when Josh Hokit clashed with Alex Pereira and Ilia Topuria, turning the room into a spectacle—and leaving O’Malley stuck in the middle, playing more of a spectator than a star.

While fighters like Kyle Daukaus, Bo Nickal, and Michael Chandler fielded questions from reporters, O’Malley and Diego Lopes were left out in the cold. The presser wrapped up earlier than expected after security removed Hokit following his exchange with Topuria, which may have cut things short. Still, for a fighter often touted by Dana White as a key star in the sport, being ignored stung.

O’Malley’s quiet night didn’t go unnoticed online. Fans were quick to pile on, with comments like: "The O’Malley stardom has died. Lasted like 1 year," and "Kyle Daukaus got asked more questions than the ‘superstar’ Sean O’Malley." Others noted, "O’Malley lost too much aura from the Merab fights," referencing his back-to-back losses to Merab Dvalishvili—first losing his title, then failing to reclaim it in their rematch. One fan summed it up: "How did Chandler get a question and not these two?"

For a fighter who once seemed unstoppable, O’Malley’s star power is clearly facing a reality check. Whether he can bounce back remains to be seen, but for now, the silence at the podium speaks volumes.