Aiemann Zahabi Expresses Concerns About Canada's Economic Path Before Historic White House UFC Bout

Montreal-based UFC bantamweight Aiemann Zahabi has garnered attention not only for his impressive seven-fight winning streak but also for his recent political commentary. During an interview with Rob Finnerty of Newsmax, Zahabi discussed his opinions on Donald Trump, the trajectory of the Canadian economy, and strategies to foster upward mobility for the working class in Canada. These remarks surface as Zahabi gears up for a potentially career-defining matchup against former champion Sean O’Malley, scheduled for June 14 on the South Lawn of the White House.

Aiemann Zahabi on Political Views and Economic Vision

In his conversation with Finnerty, Zahabi candidly expressed his political views. He revealed that he was initially drawn to the former U.S. president due to pledges of ending conflicts and de-escalating violence in Gaza. Zahabi, whose parents immigrated to Canada from Lebanon, stated, "If he were a candidate in Canada, he would likely have earned my vote." He conveyed disappointment regarding a new conflict in Iran, noting he "didn't anticipate another war" from Trump's administration, yet conceded that "everyone possesses both positive and negative attributes."

Following the interview, Zahabi publicly thanked Rob Finnerty on social media, light-heartedly suggesting Finnerty enjoy a poutine on June 15th to celebrate his anticipated victory.

When pressed on whether Canada requires a figure akin to Trump, Zahabi shifted the discussion to economic policy. "I desire a leader with an economic vision similar to Trump's," he remarked, expressing a wish for Canada to become "a desirable country for investment." Zahabi, highlighting his background as the son of Lebanese immigrants, emphasized his paramount value for economic mobility. He asserted, "If you're a diligent worker, you should be able to advance socially and economically." He further added, "I prefer capitalism to prevail in Canada over socialism. It feels as though we're leaning more towards socialist tendencies currently."

Zahabi specifically advocated for policies such as abolishing taxes on tips and overtime pay, viewing these as essential reforms for Canada. He elaborated, "These are the types of initiatives I hope to see implemented in Canada, enabling individuals to genuinely succeed and overcome existing barriers."

Is Canada Truly Drifting Towards Socialism?

While Zahabi voices frustration over high taxes and government expenditures, leading him to claim Canada is moving towards socialism, available data suggests a different picture. The Heritage Foundation’s 2025 Index of Economic Freedom awarded Canada a score of 76 out of 100, categorizing it as "mostly free" and ranking it first in the Americas, surpassing the United States (which scored 70.2 and dropped to 26th worldwide). Notably, the Heritage Foundation indicated an increase of 2.3 points in Canada's score from the preceding year.

Complementary reports, such as the Economic Freedom of the World published by the Cato Institute and Fraser Institute, present a consistent view. In its latest publication, Canada secured the 11th position globally among 165 countries, ahead of the United States, which ranked 5th in their index. Additionally, the 2025 Human Freedom Index positioned Canada 12th out of 165 nations, while Freedom House assigned the country a score of 98 out of 100.

By conventional definitions, Canada is more accurately characterized as a mixed market economy, not a socialist one. The majority of economic production and employment originates from the private sector, with private enterprises accounting for nearly 80% of the total output. Government services primarily concentrate on areas such as healthcare, pensions, and education. Furthermore, international metrics of economic freedom consistently classify Canada as a robust market economy, identifying it as one of the freest economies globally.

The Historic White House Showdown: USA vs. Canada

Regardless of his political stance, Zahabi's primary attention remains on the upcoming June 14th event. UFC Freedom 250 is set to be held on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., marking an unprecedented occasion for a professional sporting event at the presidential residence. This event is integrated into the observances for the 250th anniversary of the United States and notably coincides with Donald Trump's 80th birthday.

Zahabi, holding a record of 14-2 in MMA and 8-2 in the UFC, is slated to compete against former bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley (19-3 MMA, 11-3 UFC) in a three-round contest. The matchup naturally frames a USA versus Canada narrative, which O'Malley promptly emphasized, informing the UFC that he was willing to "fight anybody" to secure a spot on this prestigious card.

Zahabi is the younger sibling of Firas Zahabi, the esteemed head trainer at Montreal's Tristar Gym, renowned for coaching 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 Road to the White House Fight

Aiemann Zahabi’s impressive seven-fight winning streak has somewhat flown under the radar within the bantamweight division. His recent triumphs include a unanimous decision victory against former champion José Aldo at UFC 315 in May 2025, a split decision win over Marlon Vera in October 2025, and previous decision successes against Pedro Munhoz and Javid Basharat. As of January 2026, he held the No. 6 spot in the UFC bantamweight rankings.

The bout against Vera notably highlighted Zahabi's resilience. Despite sustaining a broken forearm in the second round, he persevered to win a closely contested third round, securing a split decision victory. His overall record of 14-2 comprises six knockout wins, two submission victories, and six decision triumphs, with all eight of his finishes occurring in the initial round.

O’Malley enters the fight as a substantial favorite, with sportsbooks listing him at -390 compared to Zahabi at +280. However, the Canadian fighter expressed familiarity with being underestimated. Zahabi informed Newsmax, "I've achieved the ninth-largest upset in UFC history, and I aim to surpass that with this upcoming fight. I've ruined betting parlays previously, and I'm prepared to do it once more. It seems I often emerge victorious whenever I'm considered the underdog."

The event card includes a total of six fights, with a lightweight title unification bout between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje serving as the main event. Reports indicate that fighters will make their walkouts from the Oval Office before proceeding to the White House lawn, a unique aspect O’Malley described as "difficult to comprehend."

For Zahabi, a Lebanese-Canadian, the political context further amplifies the unique nature of the event. He commented, "It's appealing to have politics integrated, as it will draw a larger viewership. Some individuals who may have never watched MMA before will likely be captivated by this matchup due to its significance."

Zahabi also mused about the prospect of achieving an upset victory on Trump's birthday, on the President's own lawn, suggesting it would be an even greater accomplishment: "I believe it would be fantastic if I were to 'spoil the party.'"

The segment concluded with Newsmax host Rob Finnerty expressing his hope that the Canadian fighter would not be victorious at the UFC White House event.