Former UFC bantamweight champion Sean O'Malley will face Aiemann Zahabi in a feature bout at UFC Freedom 250, held on the front lawn of the White House this Sunday, June 14, 2026.
The unique outdoor event marks a historic venue choice for the promotion as part of the United States Semiquincentennial celebration.
Zahabi Prepares for Unprecedented Setup
Zahabi arrived in Washington, D. C.
on May 31 to prepare for the seven-fight card.
He revealed during an interview on "The Ariel Helwani Show" that fighters must undergo an unprecedented Thursday rehearsal to familiarize themselves with the setup.
"They're going to show us where our locker rooms are, and we're going to do our walk to experience it and see it, and do a little tour of the Octagon," said Zahabi.
The Canadian fighter explained that the walkthrough helps athletes prepare mentally for the unconventional location.
"It's definitely a new thing, and it's nice that they're doing it because it's going to help with the visualization and getting used to [what to expect on Sunday], so we're not lost in the lights when we get out there for the first time," said Zahabi.
The promotion requested multiple walkout tracks from competitors.
"They asked us for three songs, so I don't know which one I got in the end," said Zahabi.
He clarified that he submitted a preferred combination along with alternative selections.
"I told them which one was the one I wanted, which was a mash-up of two songs," said Zahabi.
Zahabi enters the bout on a seven-fight winning streak but expressed surprise that the event's uniform designs utilize exclusively American themes rather than international flags.
"I thought it was [going to be] more like the Olympics, this celebration.
I thought they would give us like a little wink on our outfits, like a little Canadian flag or maybe a moose for me," said Zahabi.
"Something for the Brazilians, something for the French, something for the Mexican, whatever they're going to do.
A little wink, a little customization for it because, yes, we're all coming to celebrate America, but we all have our own heritage," he added.
Despite his critique regarding the apparel, Zahabi welcomed the matchup against his American opponent.
"I'm still happy to celebrate America's birthday, but if I got to represent my country, it would be nice, too, while we're doing it," said Zahabi.
He added that he expects to disrupt the hometown narrative by defeating O'Malley on the feet.
"It would have been nice to give us a little touch, and I think it would have sold a lot too," said Zahabi.
"The World Cup soccer jersey, everybody wants to get their country's jersey. It kind of would have been the same thing.
I was a little bit surprised, but it is what it is. It's their party, man.
I'm already coming to spoil it by beating Sean O'Malley. I can't complain about too much.
I'm happy they gave me the American [opponent] I wanted, and to do that at this event, it's very nice," said Zahabi.
Striking and Wrestling Dynamics
Addressing O'Malley's skills, Zahabi stated he does not fear the former champion's striking and questioned his opponent's wrestling capabilities.
"I'm not afraid of his striking whatsoever. The fight's going to start on the feet," said Zahabi.
Zahabi referenced O'Malley's past performances against high-pressure wrestlers to highlight potential tactical vulnerabilities.
"I don't really wrestle unless I have to, unless there's a situation where I need it.
I haven't needed it in the past, so I haven't really used it in the UFC.
I've seen him wrestle — he took down Petr Yan at the end of Round 1 [in 2022]. That was interesting when he felt a lot of pressure.
He might just be saying his insecurities — he knows that wrestling is his weakness. He knows being on his back is a weakness for him," said Zahabi.
He dismissed O'Malley's criticisms regarding his recent split-decision victory over Marlon Vera by pointing out their respective head-to-head histories with the mutual opponent.
"I know he said that I barely beat 'Chito,' but I didn't lose to 'Chito' the first time I fought him, and my arm broke," said Zahabi.
"He got finished by 'Chito' the first time he fought him," said Zahabi.
Zahabi emphasized that execution during the fight remains more critical than pre-fight strategic predictions.
"It doesn't really matter what he thinks is going to happen. It's all about approach.
He knew Merab was going to shoot [takedowns] the first time they fought, and he knew for certain in the rematch Merab was going to shoot.
Merab still took him down. It's just about approach — not about knowing, but about executing," said Zahabi.
O'Malley Eyes Title Shot
O'Malley countered during the UFC Freedom 250 media day on Wednesday, stating that a victory on Sunday should position him directly for another bantamweight championship opportunity.
"My next fight will probably be for the title, but I don't know if the next title fight will involve me," said O'Malley.
O'Malley acknowledged that the division's immediate title picture appears focused on a trilogy match between Petr Yan and Merab Dvalishvili.
"It seems that Petr (Yan) and Merab (Dvalishvili) are kind of the way it's leaning, but whether I wait or take another fight, I don't know.
It's so hard to predict how these fights will play out. I'm going with taking it one fight at a time," said O'Malley.
He expressed enthusiasm for competing at the unique White House setting following previous appearances at high-profile venues like the Las Vegas Sphere.
"It's insane," said O'Malley.
"I enjoy going to these different places: Boston, Miami, Abu Dhabi, Vegas. Just fighting in different places is fun.
Now we're fighting at the White House on the lawn. It's insane.
It's hard to wrap your head around.
It's going to somehow find a way to outdo it someday and be a part of that, too.
But yeah, it's awesome," said O'Malley.
The main card will stream live on Paramount+ starting at 6 p. m.
Eastern Time.
The event features a double championship headliner following the bantamweight clash.
UFC Freedom 250 Fight Card
- Featherweight: Diego Lopes vs. Steve Garcia
- Middleweight: Bo Nickal vs. Kyle Daukaus
- Lightweight: Mauricio Ruffy vs. Michael Chandler
- Heavyweight: Josh Hokit vs. Derrick Lewis
- Bantamweight: Sean O'Malley vs. Aiemann Zahabi
- Heavyweight Interim Title: Alex Pereira vs. Ciryl Gane
- Lightweight Title: Ilia Topuria (c) vs. Justin Gaethje (ic)
