Aiemann Zahabi Expects Sean O’Malley to Wrestle, But Still Wants a Striking Battle
Aiemann Zahabi believes Sean O’Malley may bring more wrestling than some fans expect when they meet inside the Octagon.
O’Malley is mostly known for his flashy striking, long-range attacks, timing, and creative stand-up game. But Zahabi is not preparing for a one-dimensional version of him. Instead, he says he is getting ready for O’Malley to mix in wrestling and test him in different areas.
“Sean can wrestle,” Zahabi said. “I’m getting ready to defend the wrestle he’s gonna bring.”
That comment shows Zahabi is taking a complete approach to the matchup. He respects O’Malley’s striking, but he also knows that high-level MMA fights often change quickly when fighters start mixing styles.
Zahabi Is Ready for O’Malley’s Wrestling
Many fans think of O’Malley as a striker first, and that is fair. His best moments usually come on the feet, where he uses distance, feints, speed, and accuracy to break opponents down.
But Zahabi believes O’Malley has wrestling tools too.
That makes preparation more complicated. Zahabi cannot only train for kicks, punches, and movement. He also has to be ready for level changes, clinch work, takedown attempts, and control positions.
Against a fighter like O’Malley, overcommitting on the feet can be dangerous. But ignoring the wrestling threat can also create problems.
Zahabi seems aware of that balance.
Even though Zahabi is preparing for wrestling, he made it clear that he does not necessarily want to turn the fight into a grappling-heavy contest.
“It’s not a card I need to use, and if I don’t have to I won’t use it,” Zahabi said. “I want to stand with him.”
That is a confident statement.
Zahabi is basically saying he is ready everywhere, but his preferred plan is to test himself against O’Malley in the striking exchanges. That could make the fight very interesting because O’Malley usually wants space, rhythm, and control on the feet.
If Zahabi can make him uncomfortable, close distance, and force exchanges, the matchup could become more competitive than some expect.
For O’Malley, wrestling may be a smart option if the striking exchanges do not go exactly his way.
Even fighters known for striking need backup plans. If Zahabi finds timing, pressures well, or makes O’Malley work harder than expected, mixing in wrestling could help O’Malley slow the pace and create new openings.
That is why Zahabi is preparing for it.
He does not want to be surprised if O’Malley changes the fight.
Aiemann Zahabi is expecting a more complete version of Sean O’Malley.
He says O’Malley can wrestle and believes that may be part of the game plan. But Zahabi also says he wants to stand and strike if he does not need to use his own grappling.
That makes the matchup more interesting.
Fans may expect a striking battle, but Zahabi is preparing for everything — and that could be the key to how the fight plays out.
UFC WHITE HOUSE
- Fight: Sean O’Malley vs. Aiemann Zahabi
- Event: UFC Freedom 250
- Promotion: UFC
- Weight class: Bantamweight
- Date: June 14, 2026
- Location: South Lawn of the White House, Washington, D.C.
- Fight status: Scheduled
- Sean O’Malley record: 19-3 (1 NC)
- Aiemann Zahabi record: 14-2
- O’Malley nickname: Suga
- Zahabi nickname: The Iceman
- Recent O’Malley result: Win against Song Yadong
- Recent Zahabi result: Win against Marlon Vera
Main storyline: Former champion O’Malley looks for a signature, highlight-reel knockout on a historic outdoor stage to assert his place back in the title picture, while the surging Zahabi puts his massive multi-fight winning streak on the line for a career-defining breakthrough.
