WASHINGTON — As Canadian UFC fighter Aiemann Zahabi made his technique to the octagon on the White Home for the highest-profile match of his profession to this point, thunderous boos ripped throughout the historic grounds.
Zahabi was finally defeated by fan-favourite and former bantamweight champion Sean (Suga) O’Malley in a second-round knockout.
The combat evening Sunday was a part of UFC Freedom 250, marking 250 years for the reason that U.S. turned a rustic and recognizing U.S. President Donald Trump’s eightieth birthday.
The occasion was bought as a celebration for all People. It’s going down amid a fractured world, with deep political division in the USA, and Trump’s tariffs and threats of annexation upending geopolitics.
The president remains to be caught in an unpopular struggle in Iran that has resulted in excessive gasoline costs and issues about inflation. Earlier than Sunday’s UFC fights, Trump introduced a deal had been reached with Iran and that he licensed an finish to the U.S. blockade within the Strait of Hormuz.
The response to Zahabi’s match confirmed the frayed relationship between Canada and the U.S. continues to seep into the world of sport.
Trump placed on a white “USA” hat earlier than the combat, which noticed Zahabi concentrate on touchdown low kicks whereas O’Malley hit the Canadian with heavier photographs. Through the match, somebody shouted, “Canada is the 51st state.”
Zahabi, billed as an underdog, confronted heckles from tens of 1000’s of followers close by in The Ellipse. Loud chants of “USA” echoed when O’Malley’s proper fist met Zahabi’s jaw and finally ended the combat.
The response from followers was a stark distinction to earlier brawls, which noticed applause for Brazilian Diego Lopes and Mauricio Ruffy once they defeated their American opponents. Each Lopes and Ruffy are well-known fighters, and Zahabi’s defeat marked the primary time within the occasion {that a} foreigner was taken down by an American.
In a video performed earlier than the combat, Zahabi mentioned it was an honour to be the one Canadian collaborating within the occasion. The 38-year-old from Laval, Que., mentioned it was a great alternative to achieve recognition going through a preferred fighter in O’Malley.
He added that he needed to “deliver one again from the White Home for Group Canada.”
Zahabi has mentioned he has heard from some Canadians who weren’t joyful he took half within the occasion amid the president’s “51st state” rhetoric and tariffs.
The fighter beforehand endorsed Trump, saying it was as a result of he promised to be a “president of peace.” The Canadian fighter has since backed away from that stance.
He beforehand advised The Canadian Press that combating steps away from the Oval Workplace will not be a political assertion.
“Doesn’t imply I help all the things Trump says and does,” he mentioned. “I’m taking it as my alternative to voice myself and voice the Canadian tradition and Canadian values.”
The UFC occasion is prone to reverberate by American politics as effectively. Following his win, heavyweight Josh Hokit yelled out a unprecedented and unfounded assault based mostly on a right-wing conspiracy concept a couple of spouse of a former U.S. president: “Michelle Obama is a person.” The condemnation on social media was swift.
Excited followers who waited for hours within the sweltering warmth to look at the fights on giant screens at The Ellipse, a park simply south of the White Home, maintained the sporting occasion was to deliver unity.
“It’s going to be loud. It’s going to raucous. It’s going to be a great time,” mentioned Enzio Colodonato, who was decked out in a purple, white and blue shirt and a vivid white wig.
When requested about politics — and significantly tensions with Canada — followers had been fast to cease the dialog. They as a substitute talked about how sport brings individuals collectively.
Colodonato, who travelled from Pennsylvania for the matches, mentioned he’s joyful a Canadian fighter was included.
“I feel it’s nice as a result of I feel all people ought to simply get alongside on the finish of the day,” he mentioned. “That’s what I like concerning the UFC. These guys will discuss smack continuous all week, proper up till the bell rings.
“However on the finish of the combat, they shake palms and are sportsmen.”
Sport has beforehand united individuals and nations in instances of turmoil — however that’s at present being examined as longtime world allies have been strained with Trump’s return to the White Home.
Regardless of main tensions in North America, the FIFA World Cup started final week in Canada, Mexico and the U.S.
There have been notable points round visas, however soccer followers from world wide descended on the three nations. Social media accounts have proven South Koreans being welcomed in Mexico, Scottish followers taking up Boston and Australians excitedly exploring Vancouver.
There have been additionally followers from totally different nations close to the White Home on Sunday for the UFC occasion. Throughout a question-and-answer interval, one fan acquired a loud spherical of applause when he mentioned he got here from England to look at the fights.
Matt Fuchilla, sporting a shirt with Trump’s face that mentioned “make my birthday nice once more,” mentioned he travelled from Ohio. He got here principally to have a good time the president, Fuchilla mentioned, but it surely was nice to see the camaraderie amongst attendees.
“The UFC combat, they’re utilizing that as a worldwide leisure to assist deliver individuals collectively not solely on this nation however all around the world,’” he mentioned.
This report by The Canadian Press was first printed June 14, 2026.
— With information from Daniel Rainbird in Montreal and The Related Press
Kelly Geraldine Malone, The Canadian Press
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