UFC fighter Sean O’Malley revealed that he told President Donald Trump he had “knocked out a Canadian for you” after his victory over Aiemann Zahabi at the White House’s UFC extravaganza.
The 31-year-old floored Zahabi, who is Canadian, stopping his seven-fight winning streak, during the UFC Freedom 250 event at the White House Sunday, which was held on Trump’s birthday and ahead of America’s 250th anniversary.
“I said, ‘Happy birthday, I knocked out a Canadian for you,’” O’Malley revealed on The Ariel Helwani Show.
He added, “I think that’s what I said. People keep asking me what I said, and I’m trying to recall.”
O’Malley noted that Trump replied: “You should get the bonus.”
While he was ultimately passed over for the performance bonus, as all seven fights ended in knockouts, O’Malley still recognized the tremendous weight of the historic fight.
“It definitely felt a little bit different…because it was at the White House,” he said. “I was fighting the only Canadian on the card, Trump’s birthday, America’s birthday. All these extra things.”
Trump has repeatedly floated the idea of Canada becoming the 51st state, even reviving the idea again in a social media post at the beginning of this month, NBC reports.
The Freedom 250 event took over the White House’s South Lawn this past weekend, drawing in over 4,000 spectators to take in seven cage matches.
The UFC said it invested $60 million in the event.
Trump was joined by UFC CEO Dana White, as well as members of his family including first lady Melania Trump and sons Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump and Barron Trump.
The event - which ran smoothly despite a rain relay - was somewhat overshadowed by a fighter calling former first lady Michelle Obama a “man” after becoming the heavyweight champion.
Fighter Josh Hokit, 28, made the hateful and unprompted comment during an interview with podcaster Joe Rogan after winning his fight on the South Lawn.
White, the UFC CEO, later slammed Hokit’s remarks, telling TIME: “I understand that the Obama’s are public figures but I’m completely against saying nasty and false things about people’s families. Everyone knows my position on free speech but I hate that kind of nonsense.”
Days later, FBI Director Kash Patel shared that a “planned attack” targeting the big event had been thwarted and five people had been arrested as a result.
Read MoreTrump’s cabinet has a new secret weapon – a sauerkraut diet
The European Union has quietly sought to reopen communication with Russia
The Latest: US and Iran sign initial deal to end war, ease sanctions and open strait
‘Worst foreign policy blunder in decades’: Republicans turn on Trump over Iran deal
Federal regulators back Trump's plan to speed power to energy-hungry AI data centers
Woman almost flattened by speeding car after it mounts sidewalk
