Sean O’Malley is embracing the unique challenges of UFC’s upcoming outdoor card on the White House Lawn, where he is scheduled to face Aiemann Zahabi on a seven-fight main card.
The UFC is building a large structure on the White House Lawn to handle technical needs for the event, which is being described as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the promotion. Fighters on the card are aware the event will be held outside and may involve weather and environmental challenges, and Joe Rogan has expressed concern about the outdoor elements.
O’Malley made it clear he understands what he signed up for. “It’s at the White House, so you gotta deal with whatever you gotta deal with,” he said. “It’s unfortunate, but none of us signed the contract thinking it was inside, you know what I mean? We all know it’s outside. We all know what we’re getting into.”
He also acknowledged the possibility of the elements playing a role in the fight. “That would suck to lose because of a reason outside of your skillset. May the best man win. If something plays a role because it’s outside and it affects the fight somehow, that would suck.”
Still, the former UFC bantamweight champion expects the matchup to be decided by ability, not conditions. “If the weather’s not crazy, it’s gonna come down to who’s better,” O’Malley said. “Who’s more skilled, who’s more prepared, and I think that’s what it’s gonna come down to with all these fights.”
Dana White has historically refused to stage UFC events outside, which has affected locations such as Hawaii, underscoring how unusual this White House Lawn card is for the organization.
