UFC Vancouver; Aiemann Zahabi on Sean O’Malley’s response to callout
Aiemann Zahabi watches Sean O’Malley’s reaction to his post-fight callout after beating Marlon Vera at UFC Fight Night 262.
Aiemann Zahabi has revealed he suffered the first broken bone of his life during his battle against Marlon Vera at UFC Fight Night 262.
Zahabi (14-2 MMA, 8-2 UFC) walked away with a split decision over Vera (21-11-1 MMA, 15-10 UFC) at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, matching a career-best winning streak of seven. In the process, he broke his forearm. Zahabi revealed the news while speaking with Ariel Helwani, and later provided an X-ray image to MMA Junkie.
“Not only did I get dropped in Round 2, but my forearm broke in Round 2,” Zahabi said on “The Ariel Helwani Show.” “I didn’t know if I wanted to talk about it or not, but when guys lose, they always talk about how this broke or that broke – I was like, you know what, when I win, I should talk about what happens in there as well. Not only overcoming getting knocked down, but I also overcame fighting with a broken arm, and nobody noticed. I kept such a poker face, I kept using my jab, I kept doing everything as if nothing was broken.”
At some point in the second round, Zahabi said he felt a “tingle” unlike anything he had ever experienced before, but he continued to push through the feeling to ensure he would get his hand raised. Surviving a swarm from Vera after being dropped by a left hand quickly became a secondary thought as the Canadian pressed on into the final round.
Zahabi won Round 3 on all three judges’ scorecards, while Vera unanimously won the second frame. The split decision resulted from dissenting opinions in the opening round, where two of the three judges sided with Zahabi’s work.
“I want people to know that because a lot of people keep counting me out and think that I’m soft or like I don’t have what it takes to be at this top level, but now I feel like I’m undeniable,” Zahabi said. “Marlon’s supposed to be this guy who’s the best Round 3 guy. I think I did better than him in Round 3. I stepped on the gas in Round 3 and I feel like he didn’t do as much as I did in Round 3. I even outstruck him in Round 2 after getting dropped and getting my arm broken. I’ve got a lot of heart, and I’m devoted to becoming champion – and that’s what I want to be.”
Zahabi returned home after the fight and visited Dr. Sebastian Simard and the Centre d’excellence en orthopedie de Montreal (CEOM) on Monday. After an evaluation, it was determined that surgery would be necessary, and Zahabi opted to have the procedure done on the same day.
“I landed on Sunday, Monday I got my tests done, and I got the surgery on Monday as well,” Zahabi said.
With a positive outlook on his recovery, Zahabi is still focused on landing a fight with former champion Sean O’Malley, whom he called out after defeating Vera. He believes a win against O’Malley would set him up for a title shot against Merab Dvalishvili.
