WASHINGTON — As Canadian UFC fighter Aiemann Zahabi made his way to the octagon at the White House for the highest-profile match of his career so far, thunderous boos ripped across the historic grounds.
Zahabi was ultimately defeated by fan-favourite and former bantamweight champion Sean (Suga) O’Malley in a second-round knockout.
The fight night Sunday was part of UFC Freedom 250, marking 250 years since the U.S. became a country and recognizing U.S. President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday.
The event was sold as a celebration for all Americans. It is taking place amid a fractured world, with deep political division in the United States, and Trump’s tariffs and threats of annexation upending geopolitics.
The president is still caught in an unpopular war in Iran that has resulted in high gas prices and concerns about inflation. Before Sunday’s UFC fights, Trump announced a deal had been reached with Iran and that he authorized an end to the U.S. blockade in the Strait of Hormuz.
The response to Zahabi’s match showed the frayed relationship between Canada and the U.S. continues to seep into the world of sport.
Trump put on a white “USA” hat before the fight, which saw Zahabi focus on landing low kicks while O’Malley hit the Canadian with heavier shots. During the match, someone shouted, “Canada is the 51st state.”
Zahabi, billed as an underdog, faced heckles from tens of thousands of fans nearby in The Ellipse. Loud chants of “USA” echoed when O’Malley’s right fist met Zahabi’s jaw and ultimately ended the fight.
The reaction from fans was a stark contrast to earlier brawls, which saw applause for Brazilian Diego Lopes and Mauricio Ruffy when they defeated their American opponents. Both Lopes and Ruffy are well-known fighters, and Zahabi’s defeat marked the first time in the event that a foreigner was taken down by an American.
In a video played before the fight, Zahabi said it was an honour to be the only Canadian taking part in the event. The 38-year-old from Laval, Que., said it was a good opportunity to gain recognition facing a popular fighter in O’Malley.
He added that he wanted to “bring one back from the White House for Team Canada.”
Zahabi has said he has heard from some Canadians who weren’t happy he took part in the event amid the president’s “51st state” rhetoric and tariffs.
The fighter previously endorsed Trump, saying it was because he promised to be a “president of peace.” The Canadian fighter has since backed away from that stance.
He previously told The Canadian Press that fighting steps away from the Oval Office is not a political statement.
“Doesn’t mean I support everything Trump says and does,” he said. “I’m taking it as my opportunity to voice myself and voice the Canadian culture and Canadian values.”
The UFC event is likely to reverberate through American politics as well. Following his win, heavyweight Josh Hokit yelled out an extraordinary and unfounded attack based on a right-wing conspiracy theory about a wife of a former U.S. president: “Michelle Obama is a man.” The condemnation on social media was swift.
Excited fans who waited for hours in the sweltering heat to watch the fights on large screens at The Ellipse, a park just south of the White House, maintained the sporting event was to bring unity.
“It’s going to be loud. It’s going to raucous. It’s going to be a good time,” said Enzio Colodonato, who was decked out in a red, white and blue shirt and a bright white wig.
When asked about politics — and particularly tensions with Canada — fans were quick to stop the conversation. They instead talked about how sport brings people together.
Colodonato, who travelled from Pennsylvania for the matches, said he’s happy a Canadian fighter was included.
“I think it’s great because I think everybody should just get along at the end of the day,” he said. “That’s what I like about the UFC. These guys will talk smack non-stop all week, right up until the bell rings.
“But at the end of the fight, they shake hands and are sportsmen.”
Sport has previously united people and nations in times of turmoil — but that is currently being tested as longtime global allies have been strained with Trump’s return to the White House.
Despite major tensions in North America, the FIFA World Cup began last week in Canada, Mexico and the U.S.
There have been notable issues around visas, but soccer fans from around the world descended on the three countries. Social media accounts have shown South Koreans being welcomed in Mexico, Scottish fans taking over Boston and Australians excitedly exploring Vancouver.
There were also fans from different nations near the White House on Sunday for the UFC event. During a question-and-answer period, one fan received a loud round of applause when he said he came from England to watch the fights.
Matt Fuchilla, wearing a shirt with Trump’s face that said “make my birthday great again,” said he travelled from Ohio. He came mostly to celebrate the president, Fuchilla said, but it was great to see the camaraderie among attendees.
“The UFC fight, they are using that as a worldwide entertainment to help bring people together not only in this nation but all over the world,’” he said.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 14, 2026.
— With files from Daniel Rainbird in Montreal and The Associated Press
Kelly Geraldine Malone, The Canadian Press
