Canadian UFC bantamweight Aiemann Zahabi has drawn attention not only for his impressive seven-fight winning streak but also for his outspoken political views. In a recent interview, the Montreal fighter discussed Donald Trump, the trajectory of the Canadian economy, and strategies to foster upward mobility for working-class citizens. These remarks precede what could be the most significant bout of his career: a clash with former champion Sean O’Malley, scheduled for June 14 on the South Lawn of the White House.
Aiemann Zahabi on Trump and the Economy
During his conversation, Zahabi openly shared his political perspectives. He stated he initially admired the former U.S. president for his pledges to halt wars and reduce violence in Gaza. Zahabi, whose parents immigrated to Canada from Lebanon, remarked, “If he were running in Canada, he probably would have been my chosen candidate.” He expressed disappointment over subsequent conflicts, particularly the emergence of a new one in Iran, noting he “didn’t expect a new war out of him,” yet conceded that “everyone has good and bad in them.”
When prompted about whether Canada requires a leader akin to Trump, Zahabi shifted the discussion to economics. “I desire a leader like Trump in terms of his economic vision,” he explained, expressing a wish for Canada to become a highly attractive nation for investment. Emphasizing economic mobility, Zahabi articulated, “If you’re someone who works very hard, you can advance through the classes.” He further asserted, “I would prefer capitalism to dominate in Canada rather than socialism. We seem to be leaning a bit more towards socialism these days.”
He advocated for policy changes such as the elimination of taxes on tips and overtime, stating, “These are the types of initiatives I want to see in Canada, enabling people to truly thrive here, rather than encountering a ceiling.”
Is Canada Actually Heading Toward Socialism?
Zahabi’s concerns regarding high taxes and government expenditure, which he interprets as a shift towards socialism, do not entirely align with current economic data. The Heritage Foundation’s 2025 Index of Economic Freedom, for instance, assigned Canada a score of 76 out of 100, classifying it as “mostly free” and positioning it as the top-ranked nation in the Americas, surpassing the United States, which scored 70.2 and dropped to 26th worldwide. The report also highlighted that Canada’s score saw an increase of 2.3 points from the preceding year.
Similarly, the Economic Freedom of the World report by the Cato Institute and Fraser Institute presents a comparable assessment. In its latest publication, Canada secured the 11th position among 165 countries, ranking ahead of the United States, which placed 5th on their index. Furthermore, the 2025 Human Freedom Index placed Canada 12th out of 165 nations, while Freedom House awarded the country a score of 98 out of 100.
According to prevailing economic definitions, Canada is primarily characterized as a mixed market economy, not a socialist one. The majority of its production and employment originates from the private sector, with private enterprises accounting for nearly four-fifths of the total output. Government involvement largely centers on providing services such as health care, pensions, and education. Global economic freedom indices consistently categorize Canada within the market-economy framework, recognizing it as one of the world’s freest economies.
USA vs. Canada on the White House Lawn
Regardless of his political opinions, Zahabi’s immediate attention is fixed on June 14. That day, UFC Freedom 250 is set to unfold on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., marking an unprecedented occasion as the first professional sporting event ever hosted at the presidential residence. This landmark event coincides with the 250th anniversary celebrations of the United States and notably falls on Donald Trump’s 80th birthday.
Zahabi, boasting a 14-2 MMA (8-2 UFC) record, is slated to compete against former bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley, who holds a 19-3 MMA (11-3 UFC) record, in a three-round contest. The matchup naturally presents a compelling USA versus Canada narrative, which O’Malley quickly embraced, reportedly informing the UFC he was willing to “fight anybody” to secure a spot on this unique card.
Zahabi is the younger sibling of Firas Zahabi, the renowned head trainer at Montreal’s Tristar Gym, famed for coaching Georges St-Pierre for much of his career. The 38-year-old bantamweight has trained under his brother’s guidance since the age of 15, carrying the esteemed Tristar pedigree into each of his bouts.
Zahabi’s impressive seven-fight winning streak has been a less-publicized narrative within the bantamweight division. His recent triumphs include a unanimous decision victory against former champion José Aldo at UFC 315 in May 2025, a split decision over Marlon Vera in October 2025, and earlier decision wins against Pedro Munhoz and Javid Basharat. By January 2026, he had ascended to No. 6 in the UFC bantamweight rankings.
The bout against Vera notably showcased his resilience; Zahabi sustained a broken forearm in the second round yet persevered to win a close third round, ultimately securing a split decision. His 14-2 professional record encompasses six knockout victories, two submissions, and six decision wins, with all eight of his finishes occurring within the first round.
O’Malley enters the fight as a substantial favorite, with sportsbooks listing him at -390 compared to Zahabi at +280. However, the Canadian fighter expressed comfort with being underestimated. He informed Newsmax, “I hold the ninth-largest upset in UFC history, and I aim to surpass that with this fight. I’ve ruined parlays before, and I’m prepared to do it again. It seems whenever I’m the underdog, I emerge victorious.”
The fight card comprises six bouts, with the main event being a lightweight title unification match between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje. Reports indicate that fighters will make their iconic walkouts from the Oval Office before proceeding to the White House lawn, a detail O’Malley described as “hard to comprehend.”
For Zahabi, a Lebanese-Canadian, the political context lends an additional dimension to what is already an extraordinary event. He noted, “It’s appealing to have politics involved, as it means more people will be watching. Individuals who might never have followed MMA before will likely be intrigued by this matchup due to the elevated stakes.”
Should Zahabi achieve an upset victory, particularly on Trump’s birthday and on the former president’s own lawn, he believes it would be even more gratifying: “I think it’s going to be great if I spoil the party.”
The interview concluded with the host expressing his wish for Zahabi to lose at the UFC White House event.
