Sean O'Malley faces Aiemann Zahabi at UFC White House event

Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Bantamweight champion, Sean O’Malley, showed up in superstar fashion, knocking out Canada’s Aiemann Zahabi in the second round tonight (Sun., June 14, 2026) at UFC Freedom 250 live on Paramount+ on the South Lawn in Washington, D.C., as UFC celebrated America’s 250th anniversary. The first round comprised mostly Zahabi circling […]

Sean O’Malley delivered on his promise to score a knockout over Aiemann Zahabi.

WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 14: Sean O'Malley reacts to his win over Aiemann Zahabi of Canada in a bantamweight fight during the UFC Freedom 250 event on the South Lawn at the White House on June 14, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC) Sean O’Malley promised he would finish Aiemann Zahabi and he came through with a picture perfect walkoff knockout at UFC White House on Sunday. It was a vintage performance from O’Malley as he chipped away at the Canadian throughout the opening round before he came forward with a straight right hand that dropped Zahabi momentarily. Back on his feet, Zahabi then ate a crushing right hand from O’Malley that sent him back to the canvas again and that was enough for referee Jason Herzog to stop the fight at 4:02 in the second round. SUGA SEAN GETS A MASSIVE TKO IN ROUND 2! [ #UFCWhiteHouse | LIVE NOW ON @ParamountPlus ] pic.twitter.com/HfPZEJVP8q — UFC on Paramount+ (@UFConParamount) June 15, 2026 As soon as he landed the right hand, O’Malley turned to the troops in the stand and gave a salute to celebrate his highlight reel knockout. “It’s hard to put into words,” O’Malley said about his performance. “Manifestation is a real thing. I’ve seen this before. That was the plan. I said it, it’s out there. That was sexy. Petr Yan! It should have been here tonight. That’s what I want next. I want Petr next.” O’Malley was aggressive from the start, marching forward and keeping Zahabi on his back foot. Using his reach advantage, O’Malley was throwing a long jab but then attacking with a big right hand to keep Zahabi guessing. Zahabi did a good job circling away and trying to chop away at O’Malley with a slick inside leg kick. When Zahabi did try moving forward, O’Malley was playing counter fighter and he was repeatedly connecting with stiff punches. At the start of the second round, O’Malley clipped Zahabi with a good double jab and then a hard right hand that also landed clean. Zahabi could only answer back with more inside leg kicks but he wasn’t doing much else to produce any offense. Late in the round, O’Malley finally found the opening he wanted after he blasted Zahabi with a straight left hand that rattled him and put him down on the canvas. O’Malley followed that with a right hand that sent Zahabi crashing down again and that was the end of the fight. With a win over current UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan in the past, O’Malley remains a top contender in the division and he might just find himself in another title fight if the Russian can beat Merab Dvalishvili again with that rematch expected to happen later this year.

Sean O’Malley vs. Aiemann Zahabi squared off in a Bantamweight bout earlier tonight (Sun., June 14, 2026) on the White House South Lawn from Washington, D.C., for UFC Freedom 250. In a strong showing, O’Malley extended his win streak to two with a knockout win (watch highlights). O’Malley took the center of the cage right away, walking down […]

Sean O’Malley and Aiemann Zahabi face off at UFC White House

WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 13: Sean O'Malley and Aiemann Zahabi of Canada face off during the UFC Freedom 250 ceremonial weigh-in at The Ellipse on June 13, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Ed Mulholland/Zuffa LLC) This is the UFC White House live blog for Sean O’Malley vs. Aiemann Zahabi, the main card bantamweight bout Sunday at the White House in Washington, D.C. A former UFC champion, O’Malley looks to hold on to his No. 5 spot in the MMA Fighting Global Rankings when he takes on the No. 8-ranked Zahabi. O’Malley (19-3, 1 NC) recently got back in the win column with a unanimous decision win over Song Yadong at UFC 324. Prior to that, he lost consecutive title fights to rival Merab Dvalishvili. “Suga” eyes a rematch with current bantamweight champion Petr Yan after the two fought to a split decision in 2022, with O’Malley walking out with the victory and then winning the bantamweight title in his next fight against Aljamain Sterling. Winner of seven straight—the longest current streak in the UFC’s 135-pound division—Zahabi (14-2) has overachieved as he enters a late prime. Zahabi went 1-2 to begin his UFC career, but hasn’t lost since, knocking off the likes of Jose Aldo, Marlon Vera, Pedro Munhoz, and Javid Basharat. The 38-year-old Canadian could march into a title fight if he pulls off the upset Sunday. Check out the UFC White House live blog for Sean O’Malley vs. Aiemann below. Preamble Can O’Malley get the United States’ its first win against a non-American? Will “Suga” and Zahabi keep the 100 percent knockout trend going after four finishes? We’ll find out in a moment. Zahabi first to the octagon and he’s walking out to Drake’s “Started from the bottom” — not performed by the live band, sadly. The first ex-UFC champion to fight tonight is O’Malley, who is now on his way to the cage while the band performs Lupe Fiasco’s “Superstar”. Zahabi has Canadian legend and former two-division UFC champion Georges St-Pierre in his corner. Round 1 “USA” chants as referee Jason Herzog gets things started in this bantamweight fight. O’Malley takes the center of the octagon and Zahabi is circling around on the outside. O’Malley switching stances and always fast with his strikes. Nothing major landed 90 seconds into the fight but so far Zahabi hasn’t done much other than avoid getting hit. O’Malley with an overhand right now, but no follow ups. O’Malley with a right hand to the body, and Zahabi connects a calf kick. And another leg kick for the Canadian. O’Malley’s jabs not allowing Zahabi to close the distance and try anything so far. O’Malley hurts Zahabi with a left hand but he recovers quickly. O’Malley with a right hand now at the buzzer. MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, O’Malley. Round 2 Zahabi struggling with O’Malley’s reach, but the leg kicks are doing some damage when they do land. And he keeps landing them over and over now. O’Malley with two solid jabs to Zahabi’s bloody nose. Zahabi with more leg kicks now, and O’Malley goes upstairs with a spinning back kick to the head that doesn’t connect that hard. Zahabi with more leg kicks. So far this round has been about O’Malley’s jabs and Zahabi’s leg kicks. Round 3 Official Decision Post-Fight