Canadian UFC bantamweight Ayeman Zahavi has been attracting consideration along with his seven-fight successful streak. In a latest interview with Newsmax’s Rob Finnerty, the Montreal-based fighter shared his ideas on Donald Trump, the course of Canada’s economic system, and what it takes to maintain working-class Canadians transferring up. These feedback come as Zahavi prepares for what might be the largest combat of his profession, a date with former champion Sean O’Malley on June 14 on the South Garden of the White Home.
Ayeman Zahavi talks Trump and the economic system
Talking to Mr. Finnerty, Mr. Zahavi didn’t stand by his place politically. He stated he was initially a fan of the president due to his promise to finish the battle and cease violence in Gaza. “If he had run in Canada, he would most likely be the particular person I’d have voted for,” stated Zahavi, whose mother and father are Lebanese immigrants to Canada. He added that he was disillusioned {that a} new battle was brewing in Iran, saying he “did not count on one other battle” however acknowledged that “everybody has good and unhealthy.”
Requested whether or not Canada wants its personal President Trump, Zahab pivoted to economics. “I desire a chief like Trump by way of his views on the economic system,” he stated. “I need Canada to be a rustic that individuals need to spend money on,” stated Zahavi, whose mother and father are from Lebanon, who values financial mobility above all else. “For those who examine arduous, you possibly can transfer up the category,” he stated. “I need capitalism to reign in Canada, not capitalism like socialism. We’re transferring just a little bit extra in the direction of socialism lately.”
He cited insurance policies equivalent to eliminating taxes on ideas and extra time pay as adjustments he want to see north of the border. “These are the issues I need to see in Canada in order that as a substitute of us hitting the cap, folks can really attain Canada,” Zahavi stated.
Is Canada actually transferring in the direction of socialism?
Mr Zahavi has complained about excessive taxes and authorities spending, and claims the nation is drifting in the direction of socialism, however this isn’t completely in line with the info. In keeping with the Heritage Basis’s 2025 Financial Freedom Index, Canada scored 76 out of 100, inserting it within the “largely free” class and rating first within the Americas, forward of the USA, which dropped to twenty sixth on the planet with a rating of 70.2. The Heritage Basis itself famous that Canada’s rating really elevated by 2.3 factors from the earlier yr.
The Cato Institute and Fraser Institute’s World Financial Freedom report paints an analogous image. Within the newest version, Canada was ranked eleventh out of 165 international locations, forward of the USA in fifth place. In the meantime, Canada ranks twelfth out of 165 international locations on the 2025 Human Freedom Index, with Freedom Home giving it a rating of 98 out of 100.
In keeping with most traditional definitions, Canada is finest described as a blended market economic system moderately than a socialist economic system. The majority of manufacturing and employment comes from the non-public sector, with non-public corporations producing almost four-fifths of whole output, whereas the federal government focuses on companies equivalent to well being care, pensions and training. Worldwide measures of financial freedom place Canada firmly available in the market economic system camp, rating it among the many freest economies on the planet.
USA vs. Canada on the White Home garden
No matter his political beliefs, Zahavi’s focus is firmly on June 14th. UFC Freedom 250 shall be held on the South Garden of the White Home in Washington, D.C., marking the primary time an expert sporting occasion shall be held within the presidential palace. The occasion was a part of the USA’ 250th anniversary celebrations and occurred to coincide with President Trump’s eightieth birthday.
Zahavi (14-2 MMA, 8-2 UFC) will face former bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley (19-3 MMA, 11-3 UFC) in a three-round bout. This combat has a pure USA vs. Canada storyline, and O’Malley wasted no time, telling the UFC he would “combat anybody” to be on this card.
Zahavi is the youthful brother of Firas Zahavi, head coach at Montreal’s TriStar Fitness center, who famously coached Georges St-Pierre all through his profession. The 38-year-old bantamweight has been coaching along with his brother since he was 15 and carries his TriStar pedigree into each combat.
Zahavi’s seven-fight successful streak is among the lesser-known tales within the bantamweight division. His latest victories embody a unanimous determination win over former champion Jose Aldo at UFC 315 in Might 2025, a cut up determination win over Marlon Vera in October 2025, and earlier determination wins over Pedro Munhoz and Javid Basharat. As of January 2026, he’s ranked sixth within the UFC bantamweight rankings.
Particularly in opposition to Vera, he confirmed his toughness. Zahavi suffered a damaged forearm within the second spherical, however nonetheless made it by means of an in depth third spherical and received a cut up determination. His 14-2 document consists of six knockout wins, two submission wins, and 6 determination wins, with all eight finishes coming within the first spherical.
O’Malley is a powerful candidate going ahead. Sportsbooks have O’Malley at -390 and Zahavi at +280. However the Canadian stated he is used to being counted out. “I’ve the ninth-biggest upset in UFC historical past, and I am aiming to prime that with this combat,” Zahavi advised Newsmax. “I’ve misplaced parlays earlier than, however I would love to do it once more. Every time I am shedding, it appears to be like like I am successful.”
The cardboard options six bouts, led by the light-weight title unification bout between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje. The combatants on the cardboard will reportedly exit the Oval Workplace and head to the White Home garden, however O’Malley stated the main points have been “obscure.”
For Zahabi, a Lebanese-Canadian, the political context provides additional weight to an already uncommon occasion. “It is nice to have politics concerned as a result of it means extra persons are paying consideration,” he stated. “Even individuals who have most likely by no means watched MMA earlier than shall be intrigued by this matchup due to the stakes.”
What if Zahavi pulled off the upset, and what if he did it on Trump’s birthday, on the president’s personal garden? Even higher, in line with Zahavi, “I believe it will be nice if we ruined the occasion.”
Newsmax host Rob Finnerty concluded the section by telling Zahavi that he hopes the Canadian loses on the UFC White Home occasion.
