This is the UFC White House live blog for Sean O’Malley vs. Aiemann Zahabi, the main card bantamweight bout Sunday at the White House in Washington, D.C.

A former UFC champion, O’Malley looks to hold on to his No. 5 spot in the MMA Fighting Global Rankings when he takes on the No. 8-ranked Zahabi.

O’Malley (19-3, 1 NC) recently got back in the win column with a unanimous decision win over Song Yadong at UFC 324. Prior to that, he lost consecutive title fights to rival Merab Dvalishvili. “Suga” eyes a rematch with current bantamweight champion Petr Yan after the two fought to a split decision in 2022, with O’Malley walking out with the victory and then winning the bantamweight title in his next fight against Aljamain Sterling.

Winner of seven straight—the longest current streak in the UFC’s 135-pound division—Zahabi (14-2) has overachieved as he enters a late prime. Zahabi went 1-2 to begin his UFC career, but hasn’t lost since, knocking off the likes of Jose Aldo, Marlon Vera, Pedro Munhoz, and Javid Basharat. The 38-year-old Canadian could march into a title fight if he pulls off the upset Sunday.

Check out the UFC White House live blog for Sean O’Malley vs. Aiemann below.

Can O’Malley get the United States’ its first win against a non-American? Will “Suga” and Zahabi keep the 100 percent knockout trend going after four finishes? We’ll find out in a moment.

Zahabi first to the octagon and he’s walking out to Drake’s “Started from the bottom” — not performed by the live band, sadly. The first ex-UFC champion to fight tonight is O’Malley, who is now on his way to the cage while the band performs Lupe Fiasco’s “Superstar”.

Zahabi has Canadian legend and former two-division UFC champion Georges St-Pierre in his corner.

“USA” chants as referee Jason Herzog gets things started in this bantamweight fight. O’Malley takes the center of the octagon and Zahabi is circling around on the outside. O’Malley switching stances and always fast with his strikes. Nothing major landed 90 seconds into the fight but so far Zahabi hasn’t done much other than avoid getting hit. O’Malley with an overhand right now, but no follow ups. O’Malley with a right hand to the body, and Zahabi connects a calf kick. And another leg kick for the Canadian. O’Malley’s jabs not allowing Zahabi to close the distance and try anything so far. O’Malley hurts Zahabi with a left hand but he recovers quickly. O’Malley with a right hand now at the buzzer. MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, O’Malley.

Zahabi struggling with O’Malley’s reach, but the leg kicks are doing some damage when they do land. And he keeps landing them over and over now. O’Malley with two solid jabs to Zahabi’s bloody nose. Zahabi with more leg kicks now, and O’Malley goes upstairs with a spinning back kick to the head that doesn’t connect that hard. Zahabi with more leg kicks. So far this round has been about O’Malley’s jabs and Zahabi’s leg kicks. O’Malley lands a good right hand to Zahabi now, and drops him TWICE AND THAT’S IT! O’MALLEY BY KNOCKOUT!

The first shot that dropped Zahabi was a straight left to the jab. As Zahabi went back up, O’Malley connected a one-two and immediately saluted while the referee intervened. WOW!

Sean O’Malley def. Aiemann Zahabi via second-round knockout (4:02)

United States finally wins one against a non-American!

“That was sexy,” O’Malley describes his knockout as the replay is shown. “Suga” said it shouldn’t have been a rematch with champion Petr Yan at the White House, and called for a shot at the belt next.