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UFC Edmonton: Buckley vs. Malott is headlined by a fight between Joaquin Buckley and Mike Malott in the welterweight division. Check out our UFC Edmonton odds series for our Buckley-Malott prediction and pick.
Joaquin Buckley (21-8) comes into this main event spot looking to rebound from back-to-back tough decision losses against elite contenders Sean Brady and former champion Kamaru Usman, as he comes into his fight this weekend against Mike Malott.
Mike Malott (14-2) enters this hometown main event billing riding an impressive three-fight win streak, recently highlighted by a massive third-round knockout over Gilbert Burns and a gritty decision victory over Kevin Holland, as he comes into his fight this weekend against Joaquin Buckley.
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UFC Edmonton Odds, courtesy of DraftKings:
UFC Edmonton Odds: Joaquin Buckley-Mike Malott Odds
Joaquin Buckley: +114
Mike Malott: -135
Over 3.5 Rounds: -115
Under 3.5 Rounds: -115
Why Joaquin Buckley Will Win
Joaquin Buckley possesses the devastating one-strike knockout power and aggressive Octagon experience required to halt Mike Malott’s rapid ascent at UFC Edmonton. While Malott is enjoying an impressive four-fight winning streak, he has yet to face a welterweight with the explosive athleticism and sheer finishing instinct that “New Mansa” brings to the cage.
Buckley has proven his elite standing in the division by recently main-eventing against former champions and top contenders. Malott relies heavily on utilizing his crisp kickboxing from the outside to carefully set up his dangerous submission entries.
However, Buckley’s chaotic forward movement and incredibly fast twitch muscle fibers will severely disrupt the Canadian’s preferred rhythm. By constantly dipping and firing massive looping hooks, the American forces his opponents into high-risk firefights where his power becomes the ultimate equalizer.
If Malott attempts to rely on his wrestling to survive the striking exchanges, he will quickly discover Buckley is incredibly difficult to hold down. Buckley’s compact frame and explosive hips allow him to rapidly bounce back to his feet, denying Malott the top control he needs.
Ultimately, Malott’s chin will be violently tested when forced to exchange in the pocket with one of the division’s hardest hitters. Expect Buckley to perfectly time a rushing combination, landing a spectacular second-round knockout to silence the Edmonton crowd and secure a massive bounce-back victory.
Why Mike Malott Will Win
Mike Malott brings the perfect combination of elite submission grappling and disciplined outside striking to completely neutralize Joaquin Buckley at UFC Edmonton. Fighting in front of a fiercely passionate Canadian crowd, “Proper” possesses the exact stylistic toolkit required to systematically dissect the incredibly aggressive American in this massive welterweight main event.
While Buckley is undeniably a devastating power puncher, his chaotic forward pressure frequently leaves him heavily exposed to precisely timed counterstrikes and well-executed level changes. Malott operates exceptionally well from the outside, utilizing a sharp jab and punishing leg kicks to dictate the distance and frustrate aggressive brawlers.
Once Buckley inevitably becomes impatient and rushes the pocket to land his signature looping combinations, he will march directly into the Canadian’s grappling traps. Malott boasts a lethal arsenal of chokes and submissions, making any sloppy takedown attempt or extended clinch exchange an immediate fight-ending liability for the American.
Furthermore, Buckley has historically struggled significantly when forced to defend extended grappling sequences against larger, stronger welterweights. Malott’s superior positional control and relentless top pressure will rapidly drain the American’s explosive fast-twitch energy, turning the fight into a grueling attritional battle.
As the fight enters the championship rounds, the momentum will shift entirely to the Canadian’s superior conditioning and methodical pacing. Expect Malott to cleanly intercept a reckless Buckley blitz, drag the fight to the mat, and secure a spectacular third-round submission to thrill the Edmonton fans.
Final Joaquin Buckley-Mike Malott Prediction & Pick
This Saturday at UFC Edmonton, surging Canadian Mike Malott faces the most explosive test of his career against American powerhouse Joaquin Buckley. This main event clash presents a classic striker-versus-grappler dynamic with massive implications for the welterweight rankings.
Buckley will undoubtedly attempt to close the distance immediately, utilizing his incredible speed to land devastating looping hooks on the hometown favorite. If “New Mansa” can turn this into a chaotic firefight early, his sheer one-punch knockout power could easily overwhelm Malott’s defensive guard.
However, Malott possesses the disciplined distance management and crisp outside kickboxing required to frustrate the aggressively charging American. More importantly, the Canadian’s world-class submission arsenal serves as the absolute perfect trap for an opponent who constantly throws himself out of position.
While Buckley’s early blitzes are undeniably terrifying, expect Malott to weather the initial storm while carefully reading his opponent’s chaotic timing. Look for the slick Canadian to perfectly counter a reckless Buckley combination with a sharp level change, ultimately securing a spectacular third-round submission victory.
Final Joaquin Buckley-Mike Malott Prediction & Pick: Mike Malott (-135), UNDER 3.5 Rounds (-115)
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