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American mixed martial artist Sean O’Malley revealed the joke he told President Trump on his 80th birthday after his knockout victory over Canadian fighter Aiemann Zahabi at the Freedom 250 UFC event held at the White House South Lawn on June 14.
“I said: ‘Happy birthday, I knocked out a Canadian for you,’” the bantamweight said on “The Ariel Helwani Show” podcast released Wednesday, when asked what he told Trump while shaking his hand after the fight.
“At least, I think that’s what I said,” he added. “People keep asking me what I said, and I’m trying to recall.”
O’Malley appeared to be referencing Trump’s push to acquire America’s northern neighbor, which the president has referred to as the “51st State” on numerous occasions.
The former UFC bantamweight champion defeated Zahabi by knockout, ending his seven-fight winning streak at the UFC event held as part of celebrations marking America’s 250th birthday. The event also coincided with Trump’s 80th birthday.
O’Malley said competing at the White House created a different atmosphere than his previous UFC fights.
“Not overwhelming, not to where I was affected in a negative way,” he said. “But it definitely felt different because it was at the White House, I was fighting the only Canadian on the card, Trump’s birthday, America’s birthday. All these extra things.”
O’Malley also praised his opponent following the bout.
“Zahabi is tough,” he said. “He kind of fights weird, and it makes it look sloppy. It makes him look like he’s not great. But Aiemann Zahabi’s good. He really is. You can’t take that away from him.”
Trump greeted fighters cageside throughout the evening. The fight drew more than 4,000 attendees, including members of Trump’s family, business leaders, administration officials and members of Congress.
On Tuesday, federal authorities said they thwarted an alleged plot to attack the UFC event on the South Lawn using explosive-laden drones, and multiple individuals are now in custody.
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