Mike Malott is set to extend his winning streak in the UFC Edmonton welterweight clash against Joaquin Buckley. After his main-event finish of Gilbert Burns at UFC Winnipeg in April, Malott heads into this fight with momentum on his side, while Buckley looks to reverse a recent decline marked by consecutive losses.
Malott has become a prominent presence in UFC’s Canadian events, fighting exclusively on home soil since June 2023. His lone setback since then was a last-second loss to Neil Magny at UFC 297. Since that fight, Malott has sharpened his all-round skills and finishing ability, particularly on the feet. UFC observers have noted how Malott uses his tools to deny opponents space and keep them uncertain, which could be decisive against Buckley’s dynamic style.
Buckley, nicknamed “New Mansa,” arrived in UFC Edmonton after a tough series of fights. A six-fight run against notable but arguably past-prime opponents ended with a decision loss to Kamaru Usman last June. He then suffered a one-sided defeat to Sean Brady in May. The lack of adjustments between those two bouts raised questions about his readiness for Malott’s evolving skill set.
Malott’s improvement since his last defeat contrasts sharply with Buckley’s recent struggles. The odds reflect this progression, with Malott favored at -135 over Buckley’s +110. The fight will test whether Buckley has adapted enough to halt Malott’s rise.
The UFC Edmonton card also features a high-stakes women’s flyweight bout with hometown favorite Jasmine Jasudavicius facing top contender Erin Blanchfield. Blanchfield, known for her grappling and submissions, aims to reinforce her position as a title contender. After a loss to Manon Fiorot earlier this year, she rebounded by defeating former champion Rose Namajunas and Tracy Cortez. Blanchfield is heavily favored at -350 against Jasudavicius, who, at 37, is racing against time to stay relevant.
Jasudavicius has a striking advantage and uses range effectively, but Blanchfield’s smothering ground game is expected to overwhelm her. The winner will be well placed in a division poised for the next moves from champion Natalia Silva and former champion Valentina Shevchenko.
Elsewhere on the card, lightweight newcomer Cristian Perez faces Canadian veteran Kyle Nelson. Perez has transitioned from a rear-naked choke specialist to a lethal striker, winning five of his past seven bouts by knockout or technical knockout. Nelson, 35, has a reputation as a gatekeeper and will test Perez’s skills in his UFC debut. Perez is the strong favorite at -400.
In the middleweight division, Kyle Daukaus looks for redemption after a defeat to Bo Nickal at UFC Freedom 250. He faces Marc-André Barriault, who has struggled recently with a 1-5 record in his last six fights. Daukaus is favored at -210 and will likely try to impose a wrestling-heavy strategy to control Barriault.
The card reflects a quieter period in the MMA calendar but offers several matchups with potential impact on divisional rankings. UFC Edmonton’s lineup has drawn a modest grade, but the spotlight remains on Malott as he attempts to solidify his status in the welterweight division.
The event will also feature a bantamweight fight between Louis Jourdain and Timothy Cuamba, though details beyond the matchup remain limited.
According to Yahoo Sports.
