Georges St-Pierre has come to the defense of Aiemann Zahabi following his loss to Sean O'Malley, arguing that the stoppage came too quickly. St-Pierre maintained that Zahabi's game plan was sound and that the referee intervened prematurely.
Georges St-Pierre has publicly defended Tristar Gym teammate Aiemann Zahabi following Zahabi's loss to Sean O'Malley, arguing that the fight was stopped too early and that the corner had prepared a solid game plan.
Zahabi, 38, competes at bantamweight out of Montreal's Tristar Gym and holds a professional record of 14-3-0. Ranked 14th in the division, the Canadian orthodox fighter stands five-foot-eight with a 68-inch reach. He lands 4.54 significant strikes per minute at a 47 percent accuracy rate, making him an active offensive presence on the feet, though his grappling output — fewer than two-tenths of a takedown per 15 minutes — suggests he relies primarily on striking.
St-Pierre, the legendary Canadian fighter known as Rush, carries a 26-2-0 record and trained alongside Zahabi at Tristar. Now 45, the six-foot-one veteran pushed back on criticism of the corner's performance, maintaining that Zahabi's strategy was well-constructed and that the referee's intervention came prematurely.
O'Malley, ranked fourth at bantamweight, presents a formidable challenge for anyone in the 135-pound division. The 31-year-old American from MMA Lab stands six feet tall with a 72-inch reach and fights out of a switch stance. His numbers reflect elite-level striking: 6.05 significant strikes per minute at a 60 percent accuracy rate, both marks that rank among the best in the weight class.
Why it matters
- Zahabi's loss drops him further from title contention as a fringe top-15 contender at 135 pounds
- O'Malley's ranking at fourth in the division means wins over fighters like Zahabi reinforce his position among the elite
- St-Pierre's vocal defense keeps attention on the stoppage controversy and raises questions about officiating in close finishes
