MONTREAL — Aiemann Zahabi is working up a sweat inside the octagon at Tristar Gym, a famed mixed martial arts training centre 11 kilometres north of downtown Montreal. A couple of weeks out from the biggest fight of his life, he cycles through jabs and kicks with his older brother and coach, Firas. As the session ends, Zahabi raises his blue-and-white gloves toward a cluster of cameras lined up at the opposite end of the cage, flashing the Quebec flags stitched on each cuff. “Repping Canada, guys,” he says with a smile. On Sunday, the Laval, Que., fighter will carry his national pride into one of the most unusual venues in UFC history: the White House lawn. U.S. President Donald Trump is throwing his 80th birthday party with UFC Freedom 250 in Washington, D.C., an unprecedented fight night in the lead-up to the United States’ 250th anniversary. Zahabi is the lone Canadian on the card, set for a bout with former bantamweight champion Sean (Suga) O’Malley of the U.S. before a pro-American crowd. “It’s a massive opportunity for me,” said the 38-year-old Zahabi, whose brother coached MMA great Georges St-Pierre. “People who’ve probably never seen MMA before or never even watched UFC are going to be tuning in. “I’ve been working hard for 20 years, and not a lot of people knew who I was. This is my opportunity to go out to the mainstream.” It’s a major stage for Zahabi, though he’s already heard from some Canadians who aren’t happy he’s taking part in Trump’s birthday bash amid the president’s “51st state” rhetoric and trade tariffs. Zahabi described Canada and the United States as family, saying, “sometimes you’re on the ins with your brother and sometimes on the outs.” He insisted that fighting steps away from the Oval Office is not a political statement. “Doesn’t mean I support everything Trump says and does,” he said. “I’m taking it as my opportunity to voice myself and voice the Canadian culture and Canadian values. “I’m gonna be dressed in nice suits every day, I’m going to speak well of our country and do the right things for us.” Zahabi previously endorsed Trump, a longtime UFC fan and friend of CEO Dana White, stating he would vote for him if the president were hypothetically able to run for office in Canada. He has since backed away from that stance, saying he initially supported Trump because he promised to be the ‘president of peace.’ “He was gonna stop all wars and do all these different things, (so) I was for him, right? I would have liked the American President to stop the wars in the world,” said Zahabi, the son of Lebanese immigrants who fled the civil war. “Now with the stuff that’s going on, it is what it is, but your opinion can change when the facts change. “He’s no longer the ‘president of peace.’” Whatever his views on the host, Zahabi is focused on his job inside the octagon against the flashy O’Malley, a highlight-reel striker who enters the fight as roughly a 3-to-1 favourite. Zahabi has beaten the odds before. He brings a 14-2 record and a seven-fight winning streak into the bout, including a unanimous decision over all-time great José Aldo last year in Montreal. Firas Zahabi said another victory Sunday could position his younger brother for a shot at Petr Yan and the bantamweight title. “We’re looking to connect our shots, avoid O’Malley’s, and if the opportunity presents itself, even take him down if possible,” he said. “Everybody’s expecting the other guy to win, so if he’s not winning, everybody’s gonna put the pressure on him. ‘What’s going on? You’re supposed to be able to beat this guy.’” Aiemann Zahabi, meanwhile, said there’s a reason he called O’Malley out after beating veteran Marlon (Chito) Vera eight months ago. “It was my idea to fight him,” he said. “A lot of people are counting me out, but I see the weaknesses in Sean, and I can’t wait to expose them. “I’m not afraid to strike with him.” After watching the United States prevail in recent sporting events, including the men’s and women’s Olympic hockey games, Firas Zahabi said he would be happy to see his brother deliver a win for Canada on the White House grounds. “It’s Aiemann versus O’Malley; it’s not Canada versus America,” he said. “But we’ve lost in every sport now against the Americans. Maybe if it makes Canadians happy, we’re glad to be the ones who bring them a win. That would be great, too.” This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 11, 2026. Daniel Rainbird, The Canadian Press
