Aiemann Zahabi, a Canadian bantamweight fighter, has provided an update on his potential walkout for the upcoming UFC event at the White House on June 14th. While he expressed a desire to have rapper Drake join him for his bout against Sean O’Malley, Zahabi confirmed on April 18th that Drake’s involvement is “not confirmed” and they are still awaiting a response.
The idea for Drake’s appearance originated from Zahabi himself during an interview on “The Ariel Helwani Show.” He envisioned Drake performing his song “Started From the Bottom” from the Oval Office, which he felt would significantly amplify the moment. Zahabi explained the song’s personal significance, relating it to his own journey from humble beginnings, similar to his parents’ immigration story to Canada.
The potential involvement of Drake has also reignited discussions about the “Drake curse,” a popular online jest associating the artist with betting losses in high-profile UFC fights. However, Zahabi has been working to manage expectations, clarifying that Drake’s participation is not yet a certainty.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding Drake, Zahabi has secured a significant MMA figure for his corner. It has been reported that Georges St-Pierre, a fellow Tristar Gym teammate and UFC Hall of Famer, will be present at the event, lending a considerable presence to Zahabi’s corner before he even enters the cage.
Zahabi is entering the fight on a strong seven-fight winning streak and is currently ranked No. 6 in the bantamweight division. The matchup against Sean O’Malley is being framed with a Canada-versus-America theme, which Zahabi stated serves as a strong motivator for him. He believes this national rivalry pushes athletes to perform at a higher level and is eager to represent Canada on such a historic stage at the White House.
As of now, Drake’s participation in the UFC White House event remains a possibility rather than a confirmed plan. While Zahabi has expressed his wish for the artist to be there and Georges St-Pierre is confirmed, the final decision rests with Drake and official confirmation from the UFC.