"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.
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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)
