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The UFC’s White House show is nearly here. And thanks to the unique nature of Sunday’s event, the company has taken a different approach for an unprecedented fight week.
As one of the 14 fighters competing at UFC Freedom 250, UFC bantamweight contender Aiemann Zahabi has been in Washington, D.C. since May 31, preparing for his feature bout against former champion Sean O'Malley. Speaking Wednesday on "The Ariel Helwani Show," Zahabi noted that pre-fight protocol for an event like this requires a rehearsal that takes place on Thursday.
"They're going to show us where our locker rooms are, and we're going to do our walk to experience it and see it, and do a little tour of the Octagon," Zahabi told Uncrowned.
"It's definitely a new thing, and it's nice that they're doing it because it's going to help with the visualization and getting used to [what to expect on Sunday], so we're not lost in the lights when we get out there for the first time."
Zahabi, 38, has been excited for his White House moment since the O’Malley matchup was made official, however he still isn't entirely sure what to expect. One example of that is his walkout, as the UFC asked for multiple song options ahead of the night.
"They asked us for three songs, so I don't know which one I got in the end," Zahabi said. "I told them which one was the one I wanted, which was a mash-up of two songs.
“Then I gave them my other choices, but in the end, I won't know until Sunday."
A win for Zahabi on Sunday would extend his UFC win streak to eight, making O'Malley the second former champion added to Zahabi’s résumé alongside UFC Hall of Famer Jose Aldo. The stretch has arguably made him Canada's best active fighter.
The spectacle of UFC Freedom 250 doesn't end with the walkouts, though. The entire design of the event will stand out, unlike anything seen before it in the UFC.
That includes this weekend’s athlete attire, from fight wear to the in-cage gloves. Despite the international flair littered throughout the seven-fight card, the gear remains heavily America-themed, which caught Zahabi off guard as a proud Canadian.
"I thought it was [going to be] more like the Olympics, this celebration. I thought they would give us like a little wink on our outfits, like a little Canadian flag or maybe a moose for me," Zahabi said. "Something for the Brazilians, something for the French, something for the Mexican, whatever they're going to do. A little wink, a little customization for it because, yes, we're all coming to celebrate America, but we all have our own heritage.
“I'm still happy to celebrate America's birthday, but if I got to represent my country, it would be nice, too, while we're doing it.
"It would have been nice to give us a little touch, and I think it would have sold a lot too,” Zahabi continued. “The World Cup Soccer jersey, everybody wants to get their country's jersey. It kind of would have been the same thing. I was a little bit surprised, but it is what it is. It's their party, man. I'm already coming to spoil it by beating Sean O'Malley. I can't complain about too much. I'm happy they gave me the American [opponent] I wanted, and to do that at this event, it's very nice."
O'Malley remains one of the UFC’s more lethal strikers at 135 pounds. The former champ returned to the win column in January following back-to-back title fight losses to Merab Dvalishvili, and while he didn't score a finish in his unanimous decision victory over Song Yadong, "Sugar" still looked sharp and reminded the world that he's still elite.
Zahabi vs. O'Malley is currently slated to be the final fight of the night before Sunday’s two championship bouts close the show. Even with the Canadian's great win streak, he still finds himself a heavy underdog in the eyes of most sportsbooks.
Aiemann Zahabi (right) faces off against Sean O'Malley at Sunday's UFC White House event.
Chris Unger via Getty Images
For Zahabi, he's more excited to test himself than he is afraid.
"I'm not afraid of his striking whatsoever. The fight's going to start on the feet," Zahabi said. "I don't really wrestle unless I have to, unless there's a situation where I need it. I haven't needed it in the past, so I haven't really used it in the UFC. I've seen him wrestle — he took down Petr Yan at the end of Round 1 [in 2022]. That was interesting when he felt a lot of pressure. He might just be saying his insecurities — he knows that wrestling is his weakness. He knows being on his back is a weakness for him.
"It doesn't really matter what he thinks is going to happen. It's all about approach. He knew Merab was going to shoot [takedowns] the first time they fought, and he knew for certain in the rematch Merab was going to shoot. Merab still took him down. It's just about approach — not about knowing, but about executing."
Regarding common opponents, Zahabi is fresh off a win in October over O'Malley's old rival, Marlon "Chito" Vera. O'Malley has been critical of the split decision nod Zahabi got in his favor, but the Canadian's counter is simple.
"I know he said that I barely beat 'Chito,' but I didn't lose to 'Chito' the first time I fought him, and my arm broke,” Zahabi said.
“He got finished by 'Chito' the first time he fought him.”
Continue reading...
As one of the 14 fighters competing at UFC Freedom 250, UFC bantamweight contender Aiemann Zahabi has been in Washington, D.C. since May 31, preparing for his feature bout against former champion Sean O'Malley. Speaking Wednesday on "The Ariel Helwani Show," Zahabi noted that pre-fight protocol for an event like this requires a rehearsal that takes place on Thursday.
"They're going to show us where our locker rooms are, and we're going to do our walk to experience it and see it, and do a little tour of the Octagon," Zahabi told Uncrowned.
"It's definitely a new thing, and it's nice that they're doing it because it's going to help with the visualization and getting used to [what to expect on Sunday], so we're not lost in the lights when we get out there for the first time."
Zahabi, 38, has been excited for his White House moment since the O’Malley matchup was made official, however he still isn't entirely sure what to expect. One example of that is his walkout, as the UFC asked for multiple song options ahead of the night.
"They asked us for three songs, so I don't know which one I got in the end," Zahabi said. "I told them which one was the one I wanted, which was a mash-up of two songs.
“Then I gave them my other choices, but in the end, I won't know until Sunday."
A win for Zahabi on Sunday would extend his UFC win streak to eight, making O'Malley the second former champion added to Zahabi’s résumé alongside UFC Hall of Famer Jose Aldo. The stretch has arguably made him Canada's best active fighter.
The spectacle of UFC Freedom 250 doesn't end with the walkouts, though. The entire design of the event will stand out, unlike anything seen before it in the UFC.
That includes this weekend’s athlete attire, from fight wear to the in-cage gloves. Despite the international flair littered throughout the seven-fight card, the gear remains heavily America-themed, which caught Zahabi off guard as a proud Canadian.
"I thought it was [going to be] more like the Olympics, this celebration. I thought they would give us like a little wink on our outfits, like a little Canadian flag or maybe a moose for me," Zahabi said. "Something for the Brazilians, something for the French, something for the Mexican, whatever they're going to do. A little wink, a little customization for it because, yes, we're all coming to celebrate America, but we all have our own heritage.
“I'm still happy to celebrate America's birthday, but if I got to represent my country, it would be nice, too, while we're doing it.
"It would have been nice to give us a little touch, and I think it would have sold a lot too,” Zahabi continued. “The World Cup Soccer jersey, everybody wants to get their country's jersey. It kind of would have been the same thing. I was a little bit surprised, but it is what it is. It's their party, man. I'm already coming to spoil it by beating Sean O'Malley. I can't complain about too much. I'm happy they gave me the American [opponent] I wanted, and to do that at this event, it's very nice."
O'Malley remains one of the UFC’s more lethal strikers at 135 pounds. The former champ returned to the win column in January following back-to-back title fight losses to Merab Dvalishvili, and while he didn't score a finish in his unanimous decision victory over Song Yadong, "Sugar" still looked sharp and reminded the world that he's still elite.
Zahabi vs. O'Malley is currently slated to be the final fight of the night before Sunday’s two championship bouts close the show. Even with the Canadian's great win streak, he still finds himself a heavy underdog in the eyes of most sportsbooks.
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Aiemann Zahabi (right) faces off against Sean O'Malley at Sunday's UFC White House event.
Chris Unger via Getty Images
For Zahabi, he's more excited to test himself than he is afraid.
"I'm not afraid of his striking whatsoever. The fight's going to start on the feet," Zahabi said. "I don't really wrestle unless I have to, unless there's a situation where I need it. I haven't needed it in the past, so I haven't really used it in the UFC. I've seen him wrestle — he took down Petr Yan at the end of Round 1 [in 2022]. That was interesting when he felt a lot of pressure. He might just be saying his insecurities — he knows that wrestling is his weakness. He knows being on his back is a weakness for him.
"It doesn't really matter what he thinks is going to happen. It's all about approach. He knew Merab was going to shoot [takedowns] the first time they fought, and he knew for certain in the rematch Merab was going to shoot. Merab still took him down. It's just about approach — not about knowing, but about executing."
Regarding common opponents, Zahabi is fresh off a win in October over O'Malley's old rival, Marlon "Chito" Vera. O'Malley has been critical of the split decision nod Zahabi got in his favor, but the Canadian's counter is simple.
"I know he said that I barely beat 'Chito,' but I didn't lose to 'Chito' the first time I fought him, and my arm broke,” Zahabi said.
“He got finished by 'Chito' the first time he fought him.”
Continue reading...
