Overview
- Zahabi defeated Marlon Vera by split decision at UFC Fight Night 262 in Vancouver, extending his winning streak to seven.
- During his post-fight interview, Zahabi said “I want Sean O’Malley next” and pitched it as “me and the Suga show.”
- Sean O’Malley posted a brief, wordless video acknowledging the callout but did not accept a bout and has said he has not discussed his next fight with the UFC.
- Zahabi interpreted O’Malley’s video as encouraging, yet Marlon Vera and other observers expressed doubt the matchup will happen soon.
- The bantamweight landscape includes champion Merab Dvalishvili and contenders Umar Nurmagomedov, Mario Bautista and Petr Yan, with some analysts suggesting Deiveson Figueiredo as a plausible next opponent for Zahabi.