Aiemann Zahabi has stated that he still has not signed a contract to compete at the UFC White House event, despite being officially listed on the card against Sean O'Malley. Zahabi acknowledged the unusual situation, saying he has not signed the contract but that the UFC is good at keeping their word. The post humorously suggests that the UFC may have multiple options available for O'Malley. This creates an odd scenario where a fighter is publicly announced for a bout but claims not to have finalized the contractual paperwork. The discrepancy raises questions about the status of the matchup and whether it will proceed as announced.
Aiemann Zahabi has publicly revealed that he has yet to sign a contract for his scheduled bantamweight matchup against Sean O'Malley at UFC White House, despite already appearing on the official card for the June 14 event.
Zahabi, ranked 14th in the bantamweight division, acknowledged the unusual circumstances but expressed confidence in the promotion, stating he has not signed the paperwork while noting that the UFC is good at keeping their word. The 38-year-old Canadian trains out of the renowned Tristar Gym and carries a professional record of 14-3. Fighting out of an orthodox stance at five-foot-eight with a 68-inch reach, Zahabi lands 4.54 significant strikes per minute at a 47 percent accuracy rate, making him a volume-oriented striker at 135 pounds.
His listed opponent, Sean "Suga" O'Malley, is ranked fourth in the bantamweight division and holds a 20-3 record. The 31-year-old American, who fights out of MMA Lab, is one of the division's most recognizable names. At five-foot-eleven with a 72-inch reach, O'Malley operates as a switch-stance striker and posts an impressive 6.05 significant strikes per minute at a 60 percent accuracy rate, among the sharpest numbers in the weight class.
The situation is further complicated by a suggestion that the UFC may have multiple opponent options in mind for O'Malley should the Zahabi deal fall through, adding another layer of uncertainty to an already odd contractual standoff.
Why it matters
- A publicly announced fight without a signed contract from one fighter creates real doubt about whether the matchup proceeds as scheduled.
- Zahabi entering as the No. 14-ranked contender against the fourth-ranked O'Malley would represent a significant step up in competition.
- The style matchup pits Zahabi's volume striking against O'Malley's length, reach advantage of four inches, and superior accuracy.
- The UFC reportedly has contingency options for O'Malley, meaning the June 14 slot for "Suga" appears secure regardless of how the Zahabi situation resolves.
Sunday, June 14, 2026
