Mike Malott is riding high after delivering one of the biggest victories of his UFC career, and the Canadian welterweight is already open to returning to the Octagon sooner rather than later.
Malott earned his eighth victory in nine UFC appearances on Saturday, knocking out Joaquin Buckley in the second round of their main event clash at UFC Edmonton. The result marked his fifth consecutive win, with all five victories coming on Canadian soil.
Speaking to UFC News after the fight, the 34-year-old expressed his excitement at delivering such a memorable performance in front of his home fans.
“I'm on top of the world right now. Moments in life don't get a lot cooler than this,” Malott said.
The Canadian admitted that he had experienced the usual nerves and emotional highs and lows leading into the fight, but he reminded himself that believing in his abilities could lead to another unforgettable moment.
“You know, it's like fight day, trying to stay calm, having these ups and downs at times. And I'm like, ‘Hey, man, believe in yourself and you might get to have one of the coolest moments of your entire life again…that might be what happens tonight.’”
Malott also explained that he felt confident in his timing and speed against Buckley, who is known for his explosive striking. According to the Canadian, recognizing openings and getting to them before his opponent proved crucial to the outcome.
“Yeah, I just felt like I had my timing down. I felt like I was seeing some openings from him. I felt like I was faster than him. He's very explosive, but I felt like on the actual fast, who can get there first, I felt like I was getting there before him.”
The finishing sequence was particularly satisfying for Malott, who revealed that the head kick he used to secure the knockout was a technique he had been comfortable with since his teenage years.
“I'm almost embarrassed it's taken me this long to knock someone out with a head kick, you know? That's something I've been pretty solid with since I was like a teenager. And I kind of got away from it a bit.”
Beyond the highlight-reel finish, Malott believes the victory stands out because of the quality of the opposition. He described Buckley as an exceptional fighter and acknowledged the significance of defeating the highest-ranked opponent he has faced.
“They're all so special. This one definitely stands out. And arguably, that's the toughest guy I've fought. It's the highest ranked guy I've fought. I think he's an absolute killer. I think he's an exceptional fighter. No one's done that to him at welterweight. So, you know, this is definitely up near the top.”
With five consecutive victories behind him, Malott is determined to keep climbing the welterweight rankings and eventually challenge for UFC gold. For now, however, he appears committed to continuing his role as one of Canada's leading representatives in the Octagon.
“I'm going to continue to climb, you know. My role seems pretty cemented until I go get that belt, and that's defend Canada in the Octagon. You know, I'm here and there might be a quicker turnaround this time around. I'll be by the phone.”
Malott also made it clear that he would welcome another opportunity to compete in Canada if the UFC can find a suitable opponent.
“I love fighting in Canada, so if they call me with a good opponent and they've got someone ready for me, then that's almost for sure what's going to happen.”
