Sean O'Malley stops Aiemann Zahabi with walkoff knockout at UFC White House

Sean O'Malley backed up his prefight promise with a walkoff knockout of Aiemann Zahabi in the second round at UFC Freedom 250 on Sunday at the White House.

The former bantamweight champion landed a straight left hand that dropped Zahabi four minutes into round two. As the Canadian rose, O'Malley connected with a right hand that sent him crashing down again, prompting referee Jason Herzog to wave off the bout at 4:02. O'Malley turned to the crowd and saluted before Herzog intervened, per MMA Fighting.

O'Malley calls for Petr Yan rematch after knockout win

"That was sexy," O'Malley said afterward, as reported by MMA Mania. He immediately called for a title shot against Petr Yan, the current champion, referencing their controversial 2022 split decision that propelled O'Malley to his first title opportunity. "Petr Yan! It should have been here tonight," he told the broadcast. "That's what I want next. I want Petr next."

O'Malley controlled the opening round with his reach advantage, peppering Zahabi with jabs while Zahabi circled and landed leg kicks. The American chipped away in the second frame before finding the finishing sequence. The win extends O'Malley's current streak to two following back-to-back losses to Merab Dvalishvili in title fights.

Zahabi, who entered on a seven-fight win streak with victories over Jose Aldo and Marlon Vera, falls to 14-3. The 38-year-old had Georges St-Pierre in his corner but could not solve O'Malley's range and timing. The Canadian's title hopes likely hinge on Yan and Dvalishvili settling their rivalry in an expected rematch later this year before O'Malley gets another crack at gold.

Reported via:

• MMA Fighting — UFC White House video: Sean O’Malley scores devastating walkoff knockout over Aiemann Zahabi
• MMA Fighting — UFC White House live blog: Sean O’Malley vs. Aiemann Zahabi
• MMA Mania — Highlights! Electric Sean O’Malley calls his shot, scores ‘sexy’ stoppage over Aiemann Zahabi at UFC White House
• MMA Mania — UFC White House results: Sean O’Malley picks apart Aiemann Zahabi en route to walk-off knockout