Canada’s Aiemann Zahabi made the trip to the White House in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, looking to build on a seven-fight win streak over former bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley.
With the trilogy fight between champ Petr Yan and Merab Dvalishvili likely next for the title, O’Malley and Zahabi were potentially fighting for next in line. And doing it on the biggest stage possible, as part of an event that would have been unimaginable just a few years ago.
Zahabi actually had O Canada play ahead of his walkout track, with the (mostly military) spectators in attendance underneath the Claw on the White House south lawn staying respectful throughout.
On paper, the UFC Freedom 250 card’s lone bantamweight affair looked like a Fight of the Night candidate. O’Malley came out and held center early, keeping Zahabi circling on the outside. Zahabi showed not just frequent movement, but several stance switches, keeping O’Malley guessing. O’Malley was comfortable switching stances himself, and looked relaxed to start round one. Zahabi’s initial attacks were infrequent, mostly relying on inside leg kicks. Several of those connected. A left hook also connected to Zahabi, along with another inside leg kick.
O’Malley, however, continued to walk Zahabi down, working his right hand to the body. Near the end of the round, O’Malley connected with a right hand, pushing back on a Zahabi attack and connecting with his best strike of the opening five minutes.
Zahabi went back to the leg kick well early in round two, while O’Malley doubled up on his jab. Zahabi was taking essentially a running start to his leg kicks, and finding a lot of success with them. O’Malley switched stances in response, the damage to his left piling up. Zahabi was starting to show some damage around the nose and left eye. O’Malley fired a spinning kick up high, but was blocked. “Suga” did connect with a combo after that, but ate two low kicks for his efforts.
O’Malley was having a much better second round, but the inside kicks were still there for Aiemann. A right hand by Sean O’Malley split the guard, and barely a moment later, O’Malley rocked him with a left! Zahabi was stunned, and a second blow, a right, put Zahabi away with O’Malley walking off, already celebrating the victory and saluting! Zahabi would complain about a quick stoppage, and may have had a case, but barely, and Sean O’Malley will see the win stand regardless.
“Petr Yan! It should have been him here tonight. I don’t know why he didn’t show up,” O’Malley yelled out after the victory. Acknowledging that Yan vs. Dvalishvili 3 is likely next, O’Malley still wants his date with the champ.
Official Result: Sean O’Malley def. Aiemann Zahabi by TKO, Round 2, 4:02
