Mike Malott started slow, but eventually found his opening to deliver a highlight-reel knockout in front of his home country.
Malott faced Joaquin Buckley in the main event of Saturday’s UFC Edmonton fight card in a welterweight contest. After a competitive first round, Malott threw — what appeared to be — a body kick, but his knee crashed into the face of Buckley, knocking out his mouthpiece, and knocking Buckley out cold.
Check out the wild finish below.
The first round was quite close with both fighters showing a lot of respect for the other’s power. As the second round began, things began to open up as Buckley marched forward with a big flurry. Malott was able to clinch Buckley up against the fence, possibly to wear down on the powerful “New Mansa.”
As things separated, Malott found the opening for the knockout blow.
With the win, “Proper” has now won five straight, finishing three of those opponents. In his post-fight interview with Paul Felder, Malott let it be known that while he may not steal the show at a press conference, or in an interview setting, he’s certainly capable of doing it inside the octagon anytime he competes.
“Guys, I might be soft spoken, but I’m f*cking hard hitting,” Malott said.
Buckley has now lost three straight fights, but suffered his first stoppage loss in nearly four years.
After the win, Malott was asked who he wanted next, and he reiterated that it’s not his style to call people out.
“I see a lot of dangerous guys in the top-10,” Malott said. … “Top-10 at the very least, maybe top-five.”
