Accusations of spying and public tirades are threatening to overshadow Sean O’Malley’s return at UFC Freedom 250. The former UFC bantamweight champion recently lambasted streamer N3on, on suspicion that he had been spying on him for his opponent during their livestream in February. In a rant aimed at the streamer, ‘Suga’ called N3on a “rat.”

“You wouldn’t answer my call either, buddy,” Sean O’Malley told N3on during the stream. “Hanging out with the enemy. Flying to enemy territory. You were a spy the whole time, you little rat. I knew it. I knew it. Shame on you!”

“Is that Sean O’Malley?” N3on shrieked.

Now, Sean O’Malley’s opponent has finally reacted to the viral clip.

“🥶🥶,” Aiemann Zahab remarked.

During their last livestream in February, ‘Suga’ decided to spar with N3on and ended up beating the helpless streamer completely. He even went as far as to pull the streamer’s pants down.

After that session, N3on uploaded another sparring video, but this time with O’Malley’s opponent, Aiemann Zahabi. This is likely what made O’Malley feel N3on was spying for the Canadian. However, it doesn’t appear as serious as the time Jon Jones sent a spy to Rampage Jackson’s camp ahead of the light heavyweight bout. Regardless, O’Malley was clearly livid about it

Well, if there was any chance of reconciliation, the streamer may have lost it by further stating that he wanted Sean O’Malley and Aiemann Zahabi to go to a draw, which made the former 135 lbs kingpin even more upset.

“What a horrible thing to say,” ‘Suga’ added in the clip. “You hope I draw? You know how bad that would make me look? If you want me and Zahabi to go to a draw, you might as well want me to lose.”

For O’Malley, the fight against Zahabi is more than just a regular clash. He has already made it clear that he needs to knock out the Canadian in a “beautiful” KO, and there is no other option. Moreover, the 31-year-old has even asked the UFC to strip him from the rankings if the fight goes to a decision. So when N3on mentioned a draw, he was not pleased at all.

Now, because of O’Malley’s confidence, fans are betting against the Canadian. However, according to Zahabi’s teammate, they might be making a mistake.

Aiemann Zahabi’s teammate believes he’s getting underestimated against Sean O’Malley

According to FanDuel, Sean O’Malley is a heavy -390 favorite to beat Aiemann Zahabi at the UFC Freedom 250 card, with Zahabi listed as a +280 underdog. Understandably, the oddsmakers have kept ‘Suga’ as the favorite because of his championship experience and impressive striking. However, the Canadian’s teammate believes Zahabi is being highly underestimated against O’Malley.

Zahabi’s teammate, Mandal Nallo, a former Bellator and current UFC fighter, thinks the casual fan base is “crazy” to rule out the Canadian in the fight against O’Malley at the White House, based on his recent performances.

“Yeah, I think people are underestimating Aiemann [Zahabi], which is crazy to me, but I get it,” Nallo told MMA Canada. “I think that a lot of the fan base is relatively casual when it comes to how they watch fighting. They don’t really understand the length of Aiemann’s career and the skill he’s acquired and the team he’s on. So all they see is tough fights against ‘Chito’ and Aldo, and that’s like, it’s just a recency thing.”

The Montreal native fights out of Tristar Gym under his elder brother, Firas Zahabi, who has trained the great Georges St-Pierre. Also, Zahabi is currently on a seven-fight winning streak, so he is definitely not a competitor anyone should underestimate. That’s why it is expected that O’Malley will push his hardest to overcome such a challenge when the two meet on the South Lawn on June 14.

With the personal animosity now layered on top of professional stakes, O’Malley’s performance on the South Lawn will be scrutinized not just for a win but for the decisive knockout he has promised.