Mike Malott will headline UFC Fight Night in Edmonton on Saturday, aiming to end Joaquin Buckley’s run in the welterweight top 10. The Canadian fighter, riding a wave of momentum after knocking out Gilbert Burns in his first UFC main event, is set to face Buckley, who currently holds the No. 10 welterweight ranking.
Buckley, nicknamed "New Mansa" after the legendary Mali Empire ruler, appeared unstoppable after consecutive knockout wins over former title challengers Stephen Thompson and Colby Covington. His spinning back kick knockout of Impa Kasanganay remains one of the most memorable finishes in recent UFC history. However, his progress stalled following submission losses to Kamaru Usman and Sean Brady. Buckley acknowledges those setbacks but insists he remains confident heading into this fight. “I thought I was very, very, very prepared for Sean Brady. I thought I was, to be honest, and Sean Brady came in and did his job,” Buckley told CBS Sports. “But I can’t be concerned about what the other man is going to do. I just have to put myself in a position where I’m always on the offensive. And a great offense is a great defense.”
Malott, 14-2-1, has made six of his seven UFC appearances in Canada, including this year’s April event where he stunned the division by retiring Gilbert Burns. At 33, Malott is two years older than Buckley but carries the experience of a former Team Alpha Male striking coach. He believes his preparation will give him an edge. “There are definitely things we saw in studying him that we believe we can take advantage of in all aspects of fighting,” Malott said. “I don’t love scripting a fight. I’m more focused on preparation than prediction… Man, fighting is chaos. Preparing the skills for whatever could arise, going in there and jamming, feeling it out, and taking where I feel right. I’ve done that pretty much every time, and it’s worked well for me.”
Buckley has faced criticism for his grappling defense after his losses to Usman and Brady, both dominant wrestlers. Yet he has made efforts to shore up that weakness, competing in Real American Freestyle wrestling and improving his takedown defense. He defended against Colby Covington’s wrestling effectively, showing progress that complicates Malott’s path to victory.
On the feet, Malott is considered the more technical striker, although Buckley’s highlight-reel knockout power remains a threat. Observers note Malott’s recent loss to Neil Magny taught him to manage his energy better, but it is unclear how he will handle a full five-round fight. Buckley has displayed resilience in late rounds, including pressing Usman in the fifth round of their bout. The fight is expected to be a test of endurance and strategy, with Buckley potentially gaining the upper hand if it extends beyond the early rounds.
The Edmonton card also features a women’s flyweight co-main event with title implications. Following Valentina Shevchenko’s recent injury-related title vacancy and Natalia Silva’s UFC 332 win over Wang Cong, Erin Blanchfield faces Jasmine Jasudavicius. Blanchfield has expressed frustration at being overlooked for the title shot that went to Cong but remains focused on making a statement. “They didn’t reach out to me. My manager and I reached out to them because I wanted to put my hat in, if that was an option or opportunity,” Blanchfield said. “They wanted Wang Cong to take that fight, and I had my fight already. That definitely sucked a bit in the moment, but I had to quickly say, ‘Whatever, that’s not happening.’ I have this fight. I need to perform, and everything else can come after that.”
The main card starts at 8 p.m. ET on Paramount+, with prelims beginning at 5 p.m. ET at Rogers Place.
Malott’s pursuit of Buckley’s welterweight ranking adds another layer to the division’s shifting landscape, with both fighters seeking to regain or solidify their status among the top contenders. The outcome will shape the direction of their careers and the welterweight division’s hierarchy.
According to CBS.
