UFC bantamweight Aiemann Zahabi, a Canadian athlete, has garnered attention not only for his impressive seven-fight winning streak but also for his recent political and economic commentary. During an interview with Rob Finnerty of Newsmax, the Montreal native discussed his views on Donald Trump, Canada’s economic trajectory, and the necessary conditions for enhancing economic mobility for the nation’s working class. These remarks precede what is arguably the most significant fight of Zahabi’s career: a June 14 showdown against former champion Sean O’Malley, set to take place on the South Lawn of the White House.
Aiemann Zahabi on Trump and the Economy
During his conversation with Finnerty, Zahabi openly shared his political leanings. He initially admired former U.S. President Donald Trump, citing Trump’s pledges to cease conflicts and reduce violence in Gaza. Zahabi, whose parents immigrated to Canada from Lebanon, stated, “If he was running in Canada, he probably would have been the guy I voted for.” However, he expressed disappointment regarding a new conflict emerging in Iran, noting he “didn’t expect a new war out of him,” while also acknowledging that “everyone has good and bad in them.”
Shifting to economic matters when questioned about Canada needing a figure like Trump, Zahabi articulated his desire for a leader who shares Trump’s economic perspective. “I want Canada to be a country that people want to invest in,” he explained. Emphasizing the importance of economic mobility, Zahabi asserted, “If you’re somebody who works very hard, you can move up in the classes.” He further expressed a preference for capitalism in Canada, stating, “I would like capitalism to reign in Canada instead of like socialism. We’re headed a little bit more towards socialism these days.”
Zahabi highlighted specific policy changes he believes would benefit Canada, such as the elimination of taxes on tips and overtime pay. “These are the kind of things I want to see in Canada, so that people can really make it here, instead of us hitting that ceiling,” he concluded.
Is Canada Actually Heading Toward Socialism?
While Zahabi voices concerns about Canada’s perceived shift towards socialism due to high taxes and government expenditures, statistical data suggests a different reality. The Heritage Foundation’s 2025 Index of Economic Freedom, for instance, awarded Canada a score of 76 out of 100, classifying it as “mostly free” and positioning it as the top-ranked country in the Americas, surpassing the United States (which scored 70.2 and ranked 26th globally). Notably, the Heritage Foundation reported a 2.3-point increase in Canada’s score from the preceding year.
Further corroborating this perspective, the Economic Freedom of the World report by the Cato Institute and Fraser Institute placed Canada 11th out of 165 countries in its latest assessment, ahead of the United States, which ranked 5th on their index. Similarly, the 2025 Human Freedom Index listed Canada 12th among 165 nations, and Freedom House granted the country an impressive score of 98 out of 100.
Consensus definitions largely characterize Canada as a mixed market economy, not a socialist one. The private sector is responsible for the majority of production and employment, contributing nearly four-fifths of the total output, while governmental roles primarily focus on public services such as healthcare, pensions, and education. Global economic freedom indicators consistently categorize Canada within the market-economy framework, recognizing it among the world’s most economically free nations.
USA vs Canada on the White House Lawn
Irrespective of his political opinions, Zahabi’s primary focus remains his upcoming June 14 bout. The event, dubbed UFC Freedom 250, will be held on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., marking a historic first for a professional sporting event at the presidential residence. This unique occasion is part of the United States’ 250th-anniversary commemorations and coincides with Trump’s 80th birthday.
Zahabi, with a professional record of 14-2 (8-2 UFC), is slated to face former bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley, who holds a record of 19-3 (11-3 UFC), in a three-round contest. The matchup naturally embodies a USA versus Canada narrative, a theme O’Malley readily embraced, stating his willingness to fight anyone to be part of the card.
Aiemann Zahabi is the younger sibling of Firas Zahabi, renowned as the head coach at Montreal’s Tristar Gym, who notably trained Georges St-Pierre throughout his illustrious career. The 38-year-old bantamweight has trained under his brother’s guidance since the age of 15, bringing that distinguished Tristar lineage into each of his fights.
Zahabi’s current seven-fight winning streak has been a quietly significant achievement in the bantamweight division. His recent triumphs include a unanimous decision victory over former champion José Aldo at UFC 315 in May 2025, a split decision win against Marlon Vera in October 2025, and earlier decision successes over Pedro Munhoz and Javid Basharat. As of January 2026, he was ranked No. 6 in the UFC bantamweight rankings.
The fight against Vera particularly highlighted Zahabi’s resilience; he endured a broken forearm in the second round yet still managed to clinch a close third round and secure the split decision. His 14-2 professional record comprises six knockout victories, two submissions, and six decision wins, with all eight of his finishes occurring in the first round.
Despite O’Malley being a significant favorite in betting odds (-390 compared to Zahabi at +280), Zahabi remains unfazed, accustomed to being underestimated. “I have the ninth-largest upset in UFC history, and I’m looking to top that with this fight,” Zahabi told Newsmax, adding, “I’ve spoiled parlays before, and I’m willing to do it again. Every time I’m an underdog, it looks like I win.”
The event features six bouts, with a lightweight title unification fight between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje headlining the card. Reportedly, fighters will make their entrance 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 imbues an already extraordinary event with an additional layer of intrigue. “It’s cool to have the politics involved in the sense that more people are going to be watching,” he remarked. “Some people who maybe never watched MMA before, they’re going to be intrigued in this matchup because of the stakes.”
Zahabi expressed enthusiasm about the prospect of an upset victory, especially if it occurs on Trump’s birthday and on the presidential grounds. “I think it’s going to be great if I spoil the party,” he stated.
The segment concluded with Newsmax host Rob Finnerty humorously telling Zahabi that he hopes the Canadian fighter loses at the UFC White House event.
