Canadian UFC bantamweight Aiemann Zahabi has been making headlines for extra than simply his seven-fight successful streak. In a latest interview with Newsmax’s Rob Finnerty, the Montreal-based fighter shared his ideas on Donald Trump, the course of the Canadian financial system, and what it could take to maintain working-class Canadians shifting up the ladder. These feedback come as Zahabi prepares for what could possibly be the largest combat of his profession, a date with former champion Sean O’Malley on the South Garden of the White Home on June 14.
Aiemann Zahabi on Trump and the Financial system
Talking with Finnerty, Zahabi didn’t maintain again on the place he stands politically. He mentioned he was initially a fan of the U.S. president due to his promise to finish wars and cease the violence in Gaza. “If he was working in Canada, he in all probability would have been the man I voted for,” Zahabi, whose mother and father had been Lebanese immigrants to Canada, mentioned. He added that he was disillusioned by the emergence of a brand new battle in Iran, saying he “didn’t count on a brand new struggle out of him,” however acknowledged that “everybody has good and dangerous in them.”
When requested whether or not Canada wants its personal model of Trump, Zahab pivoted to economics. “I need a chief like Trump within the sense of how he sees economics,” he mentioned. “I need Canada to be a rustic that folks wish to spend money on.” Zahabi, whose mother and father got here from Lebanon, mentioned he values financial mobility above all. “Should you’re anyone who works very laborious, you possibly can transfer up within the lessons,” he mentioned. “I would really like capitalism to reign in Canada as an alternative of like socialism. We’re headed a bit of bit extra in the direction of socialism lately.”
He pointed to insurance policies like eliminating taxes on ideas and extra time because the type of changes he desires to see north of the border. “These are the type of issues I wish to see in Canada, so that folks can actually make it right here, as an alternative of us hitting that ceiling,” Zahabi mentioned.
Is Canada Really Heading Towards Socialism?
Zahabi’s frustration with excessive taxes and authorities spending is a declare that the nation is drifting towards socialism, but it surely doesn’t fairly line up with the information. In keeping with the Heritage Foundation’s 2025 Index of Financial Freedom, Canada scored 76 out of 100, putting it within the “largely free” class and rating it first within the Americas area, forward of the USA, which scored 70.2 and fell to twenty sixth globally. The Heritage Basis itself famous that Canada’s rating truly elevated by 2.3 factors from the earlier yr.
The Cato Institute and Fraser Institute‘s Financial Freedom of the World report paints the same image. In its most up-to-date version, Canada ranked eleventh out of 165 nations, above the USA at fifth on their index. In the meantime, the 2025 Human Freedom Index positioned Canada twelfth out of 165 nations, and Freedom House offers the nation a rating of 98 out of 100.
By most traditional definitions, Canada is finest described as a combined market financial system relatively than a socialist one. The majority of manufacturing and employment comes from the non-public sector, with non-public companies producing near four-fifths of whole output whereas governments deal with companies like well being care, pensions and training. Worldwide measures of financial freedom additionally place Canada firmly out there‑financial system camp, rating it among the many freest economies on the earth.
USA vs Canada on the White Home Garden
No matter his political opinions, Zahabi‘s focus is firmly on June 14. UFC Freedom 250 will happen on the South Garden of the White Home in Washington, D.C., marking the primary time an expert sporting occasion has been held on the presidential residence. The occasion is a part of celebrations across the 250th anniversary of the USA and occurs to fall on Trump’s eightieth birthday.
Zahabi (14-2 MMA, 8-2 UFC) will face former bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley (19-3 MMA, 11-3 UFC) in a three-round bout. The combat carries a pure USA vs Canada storyline, and O’Malley wasted no time enjoying it up, telling the UFC he would “combat anyone” to get on the cardboard.
Zahabi is the youthful brother of Firas Zahabi, the pinnacle coach at Tristar Health club in Montreal who famously coached Georges St-Pierre all through his profession. The 38-year-old bantamweight has been coaching along with his brother since he was 15 and carries that Tristar pedigree into each combat.
Zahabi’s seven-fight successful streak has been one of many quieter tales within the bantamweight division. His latest victories embrace a unanimous choice over former champion José Aldo at UFC 315 in Could 2025, a break up choice win over Marlon Vera in October 2025, and earlier choice wins over Pedro Munhoz and Javid Basharat. He was ranked No. 6 within the UFC bantamweight rankings as of January 2026.
The Vera combat particularly confirmed his toughness. Zahabi suffered a damaged forearm within the second spherical however nonetheless managed to win a good third spherical and take the break up choice. His 14-2 document consists of six knockout wins, two submissions, and 6 choice victories, with all eight of his finishes coming within the first spherical.
O’Malley is a heavy favourite heading in. Sportsbooks have him at -390, with Zahabi at +280. However the Canadian mentioned he’s used to being counted out. “I’ve the ninth-largest upset in UFC historical past, and I’m seeking to prime that with this combat,” Zahabi instructed Newsmax. “I’ve spoiled parlays earlier than, and I’m keen to do it once more. Each time I’m an underdog, it seems to be like I win.”
The cardboard options six bouts, headlined by an Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje light-weight title unification combat. Fighters on the cardboard will reportedly make their walkouts from the Oval Workplace earlier than heading onto the White Home garden, a element that O’Malley known as “laborious to understand”.
For the Lebanese-Canadian Zahabi, the political backdrop provides an additional layer to an already uncommon occasion. “It’s cool to have the politics concerned within the sense that extra persons are going to be watching,” he mentioned. “Some individuals who possibly by no means watched MMA earlier than, they’re going to be intrigued on this matchup due to the stakes.”
If Zahabi pulls off the upset, and if he does it on Trump’s birthday, on the president’s personal garden? Even higher, in response to Zahabi: “I feel it’s going to be nice if I spoil the occasion.”
Newsmax host Rob Finnerty wrapped the phase by telling Zahabi that he hopes the Canadian loses on the UFC White Home occasion.
