Aiemann Zahabi made quite a request for the UFC White House event. He asked for fellow Canadian Drake to walk him out to the octagon.
Zahabi will face Sean O’Malley at UFC Freedom 250 at the White House and wants to make it a spectacle. He already confirmed that Tristar teammate and UFC Hall of Famer Georges St-Pierre will be in his corner.
Now, the Montreal native wants to elevate the Canada vs. America theme of his bout with one of Canada’s biggest artists joining him. Drake is familiar with the sport, having shared several of his hefty UFC bets on social media in the past. The Canadian artist’s familiarity with the sport could improve Zahabi’s chances, especially for such a unique event.
Zahabi is currently riding a wave of momentum in the bantamweight division. He has won seven straight fights and sits at No. 6 in the rankings.
Aiemann Zahabi Requests Drake to Walk Him Out at the White House
Aiemann Zahabi admitted that he has thought about his dream walkout for UFC Freedom 250 at the White House. He wants Drake to accompany his team to the octagon and perform one of his most popular tracks.
During an appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, Zahabi explained the significance of Started From the Bottom. He said it is a song that perfectly describes his journey to the UFC and believes it would be poetic for such a significant fight.
“I’m walking out with ‘GSP’ from the White House. But do you what would be even crazier? Is if Drake walked me out from the Oval Office singing Started from the Bottom. Drake, if you’re out there, I would love it if you could do that,” Zahabi told The Ariel Helwani Show. “I started from nothing. My parents immigrated here from a war torn country, and I made it all the way to the White House. I truly started from the bottom.”
GettyLONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 30: Drake speaks onstage during Drake’s Till Death Do Us Part rap battle on October 30, 2021 in Long Beach, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
Zahabi Opens Up About Canada vs. America Sports Rivalry
Zahabi also shared his thoughts on the ongoing Canada vs. America sports rivalry. Drake’s addition to his walkout would definitely add another layer to that narrative.
The Montreal native said he is excited about being a part of that sporting rivalry and draws inspiration from it. Zahabi said that the rivalry brings the best out in athletes and believes it will do the same for him and Sean O’Malley.
“[Canada and America] are always pushing each other,” Zahabi told The Ariel Helwani Show. “The rivalry is the best thing we have because we each have to step our game up.”
He added:
“I think [Canada’s loss to Team USA in hockey] adds fuel for me now. I want to go out there and I wanna beat Sean O’Malley with an exclamation mark, I want to finish him, it would be incredible to do so,” he said. “It would be nice to do that in the White House. Represent Canada and do it there. How good would that feel for Canadians to see a Canadian beat an America at the White House?”
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