Zahabi dismisses O'Malley's striking threat ahead of UFC White House bantamweight clash

Aiemann Zahabi is heading into Sunday’s UFC White House bantamweight bout against Sean O’Malley with zero concern about the former champion’s renowned striking game — and he wants the fight to stay on the feet.

Zahabi, currently ranked No. 8 at 135 pounds in the MMA Fighting Global Rankings, arrives on a seven-fight win streak that includes back-to-back victories over Marlon Vera and Jose Aldo. It is the Aldo win, in particular, that has shaped his thinking ahead of this weekend.

“Jose Aldo [is] the biggest, baddest, most dangerous striker in the division and I survived that,” Zahabi said. “I’m not worried about Sean O’Malley’s striking so much.”

The Canadian contender was speaking after a pre-fight press conference at which he drew more questions from the media than O’Malley — a dynamic he found quietly satisfying. “I felt cool,” Zahabi said. “People kind of know who he is, know what he’s all about. I thought it was cool that they gave me a question so people can finally understand my perspective.”

Zahabi is under no illusions about the scale of the occasion. UFC White House is widely regarded as one of the promotion’s most high-profile events of the year, and a convincing win over one of the sport’s most marketable fighters would almost certainly put a title shot within reach.

“At the end of the day, it’s just me and him,” he said. “The fact that it’s in D.C., none of that intervenes. Nobody can help anybody and I feel like fans forget that. I want this fight. I can’t wait to get in there. I’m not afraid of this guy.”

Zahabi acknowledges he has flown under the radar for much of his rise, and credits a more deliberate social media push — alongside his in-cage results — for a gradual uptick in public recognition. “I’m an acquired taste,” he said. “You have to listen to me talk a few times, you’re going to have to get to know me. I don’t really fit into any specific type of mode.”

With an eighth straight win potentially setting up a shot at the bantamweight title, Zahabi is clear-eyed about what Sunday represents — and relaxed about the opponent standing across from him.