Aiemann Zahabi has emerged as one of the UFC’s most intriguing bantamweight contenders, riding a five-fight win streak that has quietly propelled him into the divisional elite ahead of UFC 315 on May 10, 2025, in Montreal. The 37-year-old Canadian will face Hall of Famer José Aldo in the co-main event at Bell Centre, a defining opportunity that could vault him from dark-horse underdog to top-10 staple.Sherdog Zahabi’s journey—from regional knockout specialist to polished UFC striker—reveals a fighter whose blend of boxing precision, stout defense and tactical savvy has matured under the guidance of his brother, TriStar Gym head coach Firas Zahabi.
Table of Contents
Quick Bio & Career Snapshot
Born November 19, 1987, in Laval, Quebec, Aiemann Zahabi stands 5 ft 8 in tall and competes at bantamweight (135 lb/61 kg). He carries a professional record of 12-2-0 with six knockouts, two submissions and four decisions. He holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and fights in an orthodox stance out of Montreal’s famed Tristar Gym. As of May 6, 2025, Zahabi is ranked #15 in the UFC bantamweight division, a testament to his recent run of form.
Early Life & Martial Arts Foundation
Growing up in a Lebanese-Canadian family, Aiemann Zahabi began training in karate at age 5 before discovering Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at 13, eventually earning his black belt under TriStar instructor Firas Zahabi. His apprenticeship alongside Georges St-Pierre and other UFC luminaries instilled a disciplined mindset, rigorous tape study habits and a respect for technical fundamentals that would underpin his later evolution as a mixed martial artist.
Regional Circuit Dominance
Between 2012 and 2016, Zahabi amassed a flawless 6-0 record on Canada’s regional MMA scene, finishing every opponent in the first round via strikes or submissions. His string of early stoppages under promotions like SLAMM, Hybrid Pro Series and Prestige FC generated buzz in Montreal fight circles and earned him a coveted invitation to the UFC.
UFC Debut & Learning Curve
Zahabi made his Octagon debut on February 19, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 105 in Halifax, out-pointing The Ultimate Fighter Brazil winner Reginaldo Vieira by unanimous decision. His momentum stalled that November at UFC 217 when Ricardo Ramos landed a spinning-elbow knockout in the third round—Zahabi’s first professional loss. In May 2019, a unanimous decision defeat to Vince Morales left him 1-2 in the promotion and sparked a period of introspection and technical refinement.
Rebound & Performance of the Night
After testing positive for COVID-19 delayed his December 2020 bout, Zahabi returned on February 20, 2021, at UFC Vegas 19 to face Drako Rodriguez. He snapped his skid with a one-punch knockout just 94 seconds into the first round, earning his first Performance of the Night bonus and reigniting his UFC trajectory.
Five-Fight Win Streak Breakdown
Over the next three years Zahabi compiled five straight victories that showcased his growing maturity:
Drako Rodriguez (Feb 20 2021): 94-second KO in round 1 at UFC Vegas 19.
Ricky Turcios (Jul 9 2022): Unanimous decision in Las Vegas, controlling range with feints and counters.
Aori Qileng (Jun 10 2023): 64-second first-round KO at UFC 289 in Vancouver.
Javid Basharat (Mar 2 2024): Unanimous decision, out-landing the 14-0 prospect in UFC Vegas 87.
Pedro Munhoz (Nov 2 2024): Lopsided decision at UFC Fight Night 246, mixing jab and takedown defense.
Technical Analysis: Boxing-First Offense
Zahabi’s chief weapon is a stiff, doubled-up jab he alternates between head and body to set up right crosses and calf kicks. His precision striking yields high volume—over four significant strikes per minute—and forces opponents to respect his timing and distance control.
Technical Analysis: Defensive Mastery
With a 71 percent significant-strike defense—which ranks first among active UFC bantamweights—Zahabi relies on tight shoulder rolls, head movement and subtle footwork to evade attacks and counter swiftly. His defensive improvements have been drilled through micro-cycles of live sparring and focused head-movement sessions at TriStar Gym.
Technical Analysis: Grappling as a Threat
Though a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, Zahabi employs takedowns sparingly—0.7 attempts per 15 minutes—but boasts an 83 percent takedown defense rate, ensuring fights stay standing where his boxing edge prevails. When he clinches, Zahabi delivers short uppercuts and knees rather than prolonged ground scrambles, keeping opponents wary of his submission threats.
Inside TriStar Gym: Coaching & Preparation
Head coach Firas Zahabi structures eight-week camps into concept days (e.g., jab-lead pressure), pressure-test sparring and live scenario drills tailored to opponent tendencies. Conditioning coach Patrick Thibault integrates VO₂-max runs and high-intensity intervals, ensuring Zahabi sustains output north of 190 actions per round.
Mental Game & Mentorship
Former champion Georges St-Pierre texted Zahabi a simple mantra before UFC Edmonton in 2024: “Trust your reps, then flow. Zahabi credits nightly visualization drills—drawn from GSP’s playbook—with sharpening his calm-under-fire advantage in late-round exchanges.
UFC 315 Showdown vs José Aldo
On May 10, 2025, at Bell Centre in Montreal, Zahabi meets former two-division champion José Aldo in a clash pitting veteran experience against rising precision. Oddsmakers installed Aldo as a –238 favorite to Zahabi’s +195 underdog line, underscoring the uphill nature of Zahabi’s quest.
What’s at Stake
A win over Aldo would likely crack Zahabi into the top 10 bantamweights and position him for a fall 2025 showdown against elite contenders like Cory Sandhagen or Umar Nurmagomedov. Even a competitive loss on home soil would cement Zahabi’s reputation as a marquee Canadian draw and solidify his standing inside the divisional rankings.
Keys to Victory
To topple Aldo, Zahabi must establish the jab early, check leg kicks to blunt Aldo’s Muay Thai base and use lateral movement to avoid straight-line blitzes. Punishing over-extensions with his right cross and maintaining volume in rounds 4 and 5 could tip close championship-round scorecards in his favor.
Fan Engagement & Branding
Outside competition, Zahabi engages fans with bilingual (French/English) Instagram reels of gym mitt work and family snapshots, growing his following north of 400 000. Sponsor partnerships with Hayabusa and Athlete’s Root leverage his Canadian identity and bolster his marketability ahead of UFC 315.Wikipedia
Conclusion
Aiemann Zahabi’s ascent from regional knockout artist to UFC bantamweight contender underscores the power of disciplined evolution under TriStar’s tutelage. May 10 in Montreal may mark his moment of truth—a breakthrough victory that transforms him from quiet assassin into bona-fide title challenger or a testament to the razor-thin margins at the sport’s highest level. Regardless of outcome, Zahabi’s performance against Aldo will define the next chapter of his compelling MMA journey.
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