Aiemann Zahabi
Canada
Winning streak snapped at seven
Zahabi lost to Sean O'Malley via TKO (punches) at 4:02 of Round 2 at UFC Freedom 250 on Sunday in Washington DC.
ANALYSIS
Zahabi entered having won seven straight, but five of those came via decision and there were at least a couple in there in which the result was considered questionable. As a result, he found himself a +350 underdog against O'Malley and for the most part, it predictably didn't go well. Zahabi didn't absorb much damage, primarily because he threw a billion leg kicks, some of which landed and left O'Malley hobbled. The tide turned late in Round 2 however, with Sean finally dropping him with a left hand before smashing Zahabi with a follow-up right hand. As great as the Canadian has been of late, he turns 39 years of age in November. This felt like his one real chance to potentially make a move in a loaded bantamweight division.
Zahabi entered having won seven straight, but five of those came via decision and there were at least a couple in there in which the result was considered questionable. As a result, he found himself a +350 underdog against O'Malley and for the most part, it predictably didn't go well. Zahabi didn't absorb much damage, primarily because he threw a billion leg kicks, some of which landed and left O'Malley hobbled. The tide turned late in Round 2 however, with Sean finally dropping him with a left hand before smashing Zahabi with a follow-up right hand. As great as the Canadian has been of late, he turns 39 years of age in November. This felt like his one real chance to potentially make a move in a loaded bantamweight division.
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Massive opportunity at White House
Zahabi will take on Sean O'Malley in a bantamweight matchup at the UFC White House card scheduled for June 14.
ANALYSIS
Zahabi has won seven fights in a row, though his last four went to the judges, and his momentum was halted a bit by a broken forearm suffered in his October win over Marlon Vera. He has a prime opportunity here to get right back into the title picture by facing one of the most recognizable names in the company on arguably the UFC's biggest stage. That said, he'll be giving up height and reach advantages to O'Malley, who is also the superior striker. The way to beat O'Malley is with wrestling, but Zahabi doesn't bring much of that to the table, having recorded just one takedown in 10 UFC fights.
Zahabi has won seven fights in a row, though his last four went to the judges, and his momentum was halted a bit by a broken forearm suffered in his October win over Marlon Vera. He has a prime opportunity here to get right back into the title picture by facing one of the most recognizable names in the company on arguably the UFC's biggest stage. That said, he'll be giving up height and reach advantages to O'Malley, who is also the superior striker. The way to beat O'Malley is with wrestling, but Zahabi doesn't bring much of that to the table, having recorded just one takedown in 10 UFC fights.
Discloses broken forearm
Zahabi suffered a broken forearm in his UFC Vancouver victory over Marlon Vera, Matthew Wells and Nolan King of USA Today report.
ANALYSIS
Zahabi says the injury occurred in Round 2, which also happened to be the biggest moment of the fight for Vera, as he recorded a knockdown. This makes it all the more impressive that Zahabi was able to secure a tight Round 3 in what would go on to be a split-decision victory. Zahabi has now quietly won seven fights in a row, and while his style isn't flashy -- the last four have gone to the judges -- he's closing in on title-implicating fights at bantamweight. Due to the injury, however, he likely won't be back in the Octagon until 2026.
Zahabi says the injury occurred in Round 2, which also happened to be the biggest moment of the fight for Vera, as he recorded a knockdown. This makes it all the more impressive that Zahabi was able to secure a tight Round 3 in what would go on to be a split-decision victory. Zahabi has now quietly won seven fights in a row, and while his style isn't flashy -- the last four have gone to the judges -- he's closing in on title-implicating fights at bantamweight. Due to the injury, however, he likely won't be back in the Octagon until 2026.
Winning streak hits seven
Zahabi defeated Marlon Vera via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Vancouver.
ANALYSIS
It was the exact type of fight we have become accustomed to seeing from Zahabi in what is now a seven-fight winning streak. Aiemann lacks ideal power, and his grappling skills are minimal, but he fires off plenty of volume, constantly pushes forward, and is willing to put himself in the danger zone in order to make things happen. He survived a Round 2 knockdown to outwork Vera in Round 3 and win another close fight. The vast majority of his bouts go to the scorecards, and he'll be 38 years old in November, so the bubble could burst at any time. Until it does, Zahabi continues to put himself in position to receive notable fights in a loaded bantamweight division.
It was the exact type of fight we have become accustomed to seeing from Zahabi in what is now a seven-fight winning streak. Aiemann lacks ideal power, and his grappling skills are minimal, but he fires off plenty of volume, constantly pushes forward, and is willing to put himself in the danger zone in order to make things happen. He survived a Round 2 knockdown to outwork Vera in Round 3 and win another close fight. The vast majority of his bouts go to the scorecards, and he'll be 38 years old in November, so the bubble could burst at any time. Until it does, Zahabi continues to put himself in position to receive notable fights in a loaded bantamweight division.
Booked versus Vera
Zahabi will fight Marlon Vera at UFC Vancouver on Oct. 18, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Zahabi, who has won six consecutive fights including a recent win over Jose Aldo at UFC 315, will take on Vera as he pushes for his seventh straight victory. Vera has lost two straight fights and had to back out of his most recent booking due to an undisclosed injury. The two fighters are the same height but Vera owns a one-inch reach advantage.
Zahabi, who has won six consecutive fights including a recent win over Jose Aldo at UFC 315, will take on Vera as he pushes for his seventh straight victory. Vera has lost two straight fights and had to back out of his most recent booking due to an undisclosed injury. The two fighters are the same height but Vera owns a one-inch reach advantage.
Drags himself to sixth straight win
Zahabi defeated Jose Aldo via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) at UFC 315 on Saturday in Montreal.
ANALYSIS
It's the biggest win of Zahabi's career by a mile. Whether or not he actually deserved it is another matter entirely, but either way, Zahabi dug really deep to even have a chance to get his hand raised. Aiemann started slowly, clearly dropping Round 1 and probably dropping Round 2. Things went from bad to worse early in Round 3 and it appeared he was on the verge of being finished, but he ended up surviving, and Aldo gassed himself out in the process. Zahabi eventually got his exhausted opponent to the mat an unloaded elbows from mount until the bell rang. The late surge ended up being enough, because all three judges shockingly gave him the middle frame. Zahabi has fought just six times since February 2021, but he's won each and every one. Set to turn 38 years of age in November, Aiemann needs to keep his foot on the gas.
It's the biggest win of Zahabi's career by a mile. Whether or not he actually deserved it is another matter entirely, but either way, Zahabi dug really deep to even have a chance to get his hand raised. Aiemann started slowly, clearly dropping Round 1 and probably dropping Round 2. Things went from bad to worse early in Round 3 and it appeared he was on the verge of being finished, but he ended up surviving, and Aldo gassed himself out in the process. Zahabi eventually got his exhausted opponent to the mat an unloaded elbows from mount until the bell rang. The late surge ended up being enough, because all three judges shockingly gave him the middle frame. Zahabi has fought just six times since February 2021, but he's won each and every one. Set to turn 38 years of age in November, Aiemann needs to keep his foot on the gas.