Buckley Rips Malott, Predicts KO Before UFC Edmonton

Joaquin Buckley says Mike Malott has been a no-show in promoting their UFC Edmonton main event, and he's calling him "just a pretty face" who will get knocked out on October 17.

Buckley's frustration isn't really about ticket sales. It's a shot at how little urgency Malott has shown heading into the biggest fight of his career, and Buckley made clear he intends to settle it with his hands at Rogers Place.

Why Buckley Is Calling Out Malott's Promotion

Buckley's complaint centers on effort, not substance. He's framed Malott as all image and no hustle in the build to a five-round welterweight main event that matters for both men's places in the rankings. Buckley backed the jab with a finish prediction, saying Malott will get knocked out when they meet in Edmonton.

It's the kind of comment designed to needle a hometown fighter fighting in his own country. Malott, from nearby in Canada, will have the crowd at Rogers Place behind him. Buckley needling his promotional effort before a hostile crowd fight is as much psychological as it is literal.

Whittaker Sees a Confidence Problem for Buckley

Robert Whittaker has voiced a different concern entirely, saying he's worried Buckley is heading into this fight without real confidence. Whittaker's read points to Buckley and Malott being on completely different career trajectories right now, with Malott riding momentum and Buckley looking to answer questions after a rockier stretch. That outside read cuts against the brash prediction Buckley is making publicly, and it's a notable crack in the narrative heading into fight week.

Betting Angle

The two readings, Buckley's trash talk and Whittaker's doubt, line up with where the betting market actually sits. Books have Malott as the favorite in this one, with his price hovering around the -140 range on some boards while Buckley sits as the underdog closer to even money or slightly positive depending on the shop. Malott is unbeaten in his last four and has climbed into the rankings doing it, which is exactly the kind of form the market tends to reward over a banked name with more total losses on his record. Buckley's power gives him a live underdog case in a fight that can end early, but the books are currently siding with the surging Canadian, not the challenger calling the shots verbally.

Buckley enters at 21-8 overall and 11-6 in the UFC, while Malott carries a 14-2-1 record and is 7-1 inside the Octagon. Both men are ranked in the welterweight top 15, making this a genuine positioning fight rather than a style showcase, and the outcome will shape who gets the next call toward the top ten.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Joaquin Buckley vs. Mike Malott at UFC Edmonton?

The welterweight main event between Joaquin Buckley and Mike Malott headlines UFC Fight Night in Edmonton on October 17 at Rogers Place.

What did Joaquin Buckley say about Mike Malott before UFC Edmonton?

Joaquin Buckley called Mike Malott 'just a pretty face' and predicted he would knock him out, criticizing his promotional effort ahead of the fight.

Who is favored in the Joaquin Buckley vs. Mike Malott betting odds?

Sportsbooks currently list Mike Malott as the favorite over Joaquin Buckley in their UFC Edmonton welterweight main event.