Canadian bantamweight fighter Aiemann Zahabi has provided an update on the highly anticipated UFC event at the White House. While rumors have linked Canadian rapper Drake to the card, Zahabi clarified on April 18th that Drake’s participation is “not confirmed.” This statement comes after an online report suggested the music star had already agreed to walk Zahabi out for his fight.
The idea of Drake’s involvement originated from Zahabi himself during an appearance on “The Ariel Helwani Show.” Ahead of his June 14th bout against former UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley, Zahabi initially announced that MMA icon Georges St-Pierre would be part of his entrance. He then added that having Drake perform his hit song “Started From the Bottom” from the Oval Office would elevate the moment even further.
Zahabi explained the personal significance of the song. He drew a parallel between his parents’ immigration to Canada from a war-torn country and his own journey in mixed martial arts, emphasizing that he “started from nothing” to reach a prominent platform like a UFC event at the White House.
The potential involvement of Drake also reignited discussions about the “Drake curse,” a popular jest among fight fans. This superstition is linked to a series of high-profile betting losses by UFC fighters who had shown support for Drake, including instances involving Israel Adesanya, Sean Strickland, and Aljamain Sterling. However, the notion is largely considered a meme rather than a statistically significant trend.
Despite Zahabi’s public wish for Drake’s presence, there has been no official confirmation from the artist. Initial reports and social media posts quickly amplified Zahabi’s comments, fueling speculation. Zahabi has since stepped in to manage expectations and correct the record.
Even without Drake, Zahabi has secured a significant MMA personality for his walkout. Reports have confirmed that St-Pierre, Zahabi’s teammate at Tristar and a UFC Hall of Famer, will be in his corner for the event, providing a high-profile presence for the Canadian contender before he even steps into the octagon.
Zahabi is entering this matchup on an impressive seven-fight winning streak and is currently ranked No. 6 in the bantamweight division. The bout against O’Malley is being billed with a Canada-versus-America theme, a narrative that Zahabi states serves as a strong motivator. He believes that the national rivalry pushes athletes to perform at their best and expressed his desire to defeat O’Malley at the White House as a representative of Canada on a historically significant stage.
Therefore, regarding Drake’s participation in the UFC White House event, the current status is that it remains unofficial. Zahabi desires his involvement, St-Pierre is confirmed to be present, and until Drake officially responds or the UFC provides further updates, the singer’s role is currently an aspiration rather than a confirmed component of the event.
