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Joaquin Buckley vs Mike Malott Predictions & Picks – Buckley To KO Malott At UFC Edmonton
- Joaquin Buckley favored to win over Mike Malott if fight remains standing
- Buckley has secured 15 out of 21 wins by KO/TKO; Malott’s only losses are by KO/TKO
- Malott is in strong recent form, but Buckley’s recent defeats were to top grapplers
Joaquin Buckley (Getty Images)
Joaquin Buckley vs Mike Malott Predictions & Picks
Joaquin Buckley is tipped to upset Mike Malott in this main event fight.
Buckley is not facing an elite grappler, like he has done in his last two losses, and he can keep this fight standing, pick apart Malott, and land the shot – or shots – that end this.
- Joaquin Buckley has won 6 of his last 8 fights
- 15 of Joaquin Buckley’s 21 career wins have been by KO/TKO
- Both of Mike Malott’s career defeats came via KO/TKO
Joaquin Buckley Form
Joaquin Buckley is the number 10 ranked welterweight contender with a professional record of 21-8 (15 KOs).
Buckley debuted in the UFC in August 2020 and got off to a disappointing start as he was knocked out by Kevin Holland in the third round.
The 32-year-old American rebounded over the next couple of years, winning five of his next six fights, only to see his momentum stall in late 2022.
He dropped a decision to Nassourdine Imavov in September of that year, and then suffered a second-round knockout loss to Chris Curtis in December.
Buckley bounced back from those losses in 2023 as he knocked out Andre Fialho and out-pointed Alex Morono, and he continued his climb up the ladder in 2024 with four more wins.
He began the year by knocking out Vicente Luque in the second round, and followed that up by beating Nursulton Ruziboev.
‘New Mansa’ then scored two of the most notable wins of his career, as he followed up a third-round knockout of Stephen Thompson with a third-round stoppage of Colby Covington.
However, Buckley failed to keep that run going in 2025 as he lost a decision to Kamaru Usman, and in his first outing of 2026 he lost on points to Sean Brady.
Mike Malott Form
Mike Malott is the number 13 ranked welterweight contender with a professional record of 14-2-1 (6 KOs, 6 Subs).
Malott debuted in the UFC in 2022 after a successful appearance on Dana White’s Contender Series, and he marked his debut with a first-round knockout of Mickey Gall.
He backed that up in 2023 as he tapped out Yohan Lainesse in the first round, before submitting Adam Fugitt in the second.
His climb up the ladder was halted in January 2024 by a third-round knockout loss to Neil Magny, but he has responded to that setback with four consecutive wins.
Malott ended that year with a unanimous decision win over Trevin Giles, and backed that up in 2025 by knocking out Charles Radtke and out-pointing Kevin Holland.
The 34-year-old Canadian then made it four-in-a-row this past April has he stopped Gilbert Burns with strikes in the third round.
Verdict
Mike Malott is in better form, but Joaquin Buckley’s recent losses were down to him facing top-level grapplers.
Malott is not on the level of Usman or Brady, so the longer this stays standing the longer it plays into the hands of Buckley, who has the striking skills and power to end this fight.
Malott is not on the level of Usman or Brady, so the longer this stays standing the longer it plays into the hands of Buckley, who has the striking skills and power to end this fight.
Leigh Copson
Sports Editor • 25+ Years Experience, US & Combat Sports Specialist
US sports writer covering the NFL, NBA, NHL, boxing and MMA, with previews, predictions and betting tips across the major American leagues.
During his career at the Press Association and online sports sites including FreeTips and ExpertPicks.com, he has covered some of the biggest sporting events on the planet, including the Super Bowl, the Champions League Final and the World Cup Final.
He has also covered almost every major boxing match and UFC fight card during this time.. His specialist sports are American Football, Basketball, Ice Hockey, Boxing, Mixed Martial Arts and Football.