After an impressive victory at UFC Fight Night 262, Aiemann Zahabi is already setting his sights on a new challenge. The 37-year-old bantamweight contender didn’t waste time celebrating in the cage, immediately calling out former champion Sean O’Malley. Zahabi, who edged out Marlon Vera in a close split decision on the main card, used his microphone moment to make his intentions clear.
“I want Sean O’Malley next, baby,” Zahabi yelled. “It’s me and the ‘Suga’ show.”
It didn’t take long for O’Malley to respond. While he didn’t confirm the fight outright, a video post suggested he was aware and listening to Zahabi’s challenge.
Reaction to Aiemann Zahabi calling me out pic.twitter.com/EMvWM3Rcvq
— Sean O’Malley (@SugaSeanMMA) October 19, 2025
“That’s good,” Zahabi commented on O’Malley’s reaction during the post-fight media session at UFC Vancouver. “It seems like we’re setting it up. If he didn’t want it, he wouldn’t have made a video.”
Zahabi Eyes a Top Contender Bout
Zahabi is currently on a seven-fight winning streak, with victories over notable names like Vera, former champion Jose Aldo, and Pedro Munhoz. He believes a matchup with O’Malley is the perfect next step for his career.
“I’m confident in any matchup. I’m in the top 10 now,” Zahabi explained. “If I’m not willing to fight anybody in the top 10, what am I doing here? I want to fight them all, and he’s the No. 1. With the way things are going with Merab, he’s clearing out the division. Not to sound negative – Sean O’Malley is a great fighter and all that, but he fought Merab twice, so I don’t think he’s up next for the belt. I feel like it’s Umar or Mario Bautista, Petr Yan – there are some guys that will get the title fight before Sean O’Malley because he lost to Merab two times, and I don’t mean that in a disrespectful way. I feel like I have the opportunity to fight someone that’s No. 1, so I want to take it.”
Few fighters thrive at 37 in MMA, but Zahabi is proving age is just a number. He’s riding the best stretch of his career, and the win over Vera only adds to his momentum.
“I feel like a million bucks,” Zahabi said. “I feel like I lived up to my words. I said I would leave it all out there, and at this level, that’s what it takes every time. I’m starving and I want to keep going. I want what these guys have. I feel like I showed to the fans tonight that I wasn’t going to go down easy. Man, I’m hard to kill.”
O’Malley has not competed since his submission loss to Dvalishvili in their June rematch. There has been talk of a potential clash with Song Yadong in December, but the “Suga” show recently stated he has not had any conversations with UFC officials about his upcoming fight.
Published on October 20, 2025 at 12:30 pm
Stay up-to-date with the latest MMA news, rumors, and updates by following the RED Monster on
Facebook, Twitter,
YouTube, and Instagram. Also, don’t forget to add MiddleEasy to your Google News feed
for even more coverage.