Malott Stops Buckley, Eyes UFC 336 Welterweight Leap

Mike Malott knocked out Joaquin Buckley in the main event of UFC Edmonton, turning in the signature win of his career in front of his home crowd.

"Proper" finished Buckley on Saturday night in Edmonton, Alberta, and the stoppage marked his second straight main event victory and his fifth consecutive win overall. Buckley came into the fight as one of the most dangerous names in the welterweight division, and Malott's performance instantly reshapes how he's viewed in that 170-pound mix.

What Mike Malott's Win Over Joaquin Buckley Means for the Welterweight Division

Malott's knockout of Buckley is the kind of result that forces a division to make room. Buckley has built a reputation on highlight-reel finishes of his own, and beating him in that fashion, on home soil in Canada, is a louder credential than a decision would have been. With a logjam of contenders near the top of welterweight, Malott's camp and matchmakers now have to figure out whether he's ready for a ranked veteran or another rising name to keep the momentum building. The expectation around the sport is that Malott will fight again at UFC 336, and the matchup UFC settles on will say a lot about how seriously the promotion views him as a title-picture piece versus a gatekeeper test for someone else.

Betting Angle

Five straight wins and back-to-back main event finishes typically move a fighter up the betting market's pecking order fast. Whoever UFC books opposite Malott at UFC 336, expect oddsmakers to treat him as live, and possibly a favorite, against all but the handful of ranked names clustered at the front of the division. Buckley's style made him a live underdog threat against almost anyone at 170 pounds, so a clean finish over him is the type of result that sharp bettors will weight heavily when the next line opens. How the market reacts will depend entirely on who Malott actually draws next.

UFC Edmonton's card also saw Jasmine Jasudavicius hand Erin Blanchfield a unanimous decision upset in the co-main event, another result that will ripple through matchmaking conversations heading into the next few fight announcements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who did Mike Malott beat at UFC Edmonton?

Mike Malott knocked out Joaquin Buckley in the main event of UFC Edmonton, extending his winning streak to five fights.

What is next for Mike Malott after beating Joaquin Buckley?

Mike Malott is expected to return at UFC 336, with his next welterweight opponent still to be determined.

What happened in the UFC Edmonton co-main event?

Jasmine Jasudavicius defeated Erin Blanchfield by unanimous decision in the UFC Edmonton co-main event, an upset result on the same card as Mike Malott's knockout of Joaquin Buckley.