(Exclusive) Aiemann Zahabi talks new UFC rankings and pending option for next fight

Aiemann Zahabi (12-2) may have lost his “prospect” status years ago, but the Canadian hasn't lost hope when he was accepted into the UFC's elite bantamweight division, where he's now right next to him at No. 14 stands name after the attack on Pedro Munhoz at UFC Edmonton last weekend.

It's been a long road to get here for the 36-year-old Zahabi, who has turned his career around with five straight wins since returning in 2021 from two straight defeats in 2017 and 2019.

“I’m grateful, honestly,” Zahabi told MMA Knockout about his new UFC ranking. “I'm glad I stuck with it. When I started in the UFC, I won my first fight and then I had lost two in a row and everyone, like all the media, the journalists, everyone kind of turned around. “They turned their back on me. I have lost my prospect status.

“Then I moved up in the UFC from fight to fight. I practically trained in the dark. I'm underground, under the radar, and I've gotten better and better with every fight… It's just nice to do something.” I've made a name for myself over the years, and to top it all off, a great veteran like Pedro Rounding out Munhoz, I feel like I've made a name for myself now.

Report: UFC 309 loses two great fights a week before the event

With victories TUF With champion Ricky Turcios, previously unbeaten Javid Basharat and even more confidence from defeating a perennial contender in Munhoz, Zahabi is more than ready to take on the best the bantamweight division has to offer and is looking for the first time in his career a high-ranking opponent.

“I like the 'Chito' fight, could be good too,” said Zahabi, citing #6 bantamweight contender Marlon “Chito” Vera as a potential opponent. “There are so many. [Top 15] They are all tough opponents. I think it's one of the most competitive divisions.

With fighters like Jonathan Martinez and Kyler Phillips ahead of him, the striker Zahabi could make sense for “Chito” Vera. Finally, the former title contender needs a win after two consecutive losses to Sean O'Malley and Deveison Figueiredo.

Rodtang is stripped of his Muay Thai title ahead of the ONE 169 co-main event

As for “dream” fights at 135…

“The title fight is a dream,” said Zahabi. “It doesn’t matter who holds [the belt]. That’s of course the main goal in the end.”

At 2-0 in 2024 and with plenty of momentum heading into next year, Montreal's Aiemann Zahabi says he would like to return at a rumored UFC event in Canada in early 2025 and hopes to fight a total of 2-3 times next year.

Stick with it MMA knockout for more FREE insurance coverage the UFC, MMA and boxing.

Follow MMA Knockout on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.