Mike Malott (born November 7, 1991) is a Canadian mixed martial artist who competes in the Welterweight division. He currently fights for UFC.[2] In the past he has competed for the WSOF, Bellator MMA and Cage Fury Fighting Championships.[3]
Mike Malott started training at House of Champions in Stoney Creek, Ontario with Kru Alin Halmagean when he was 17 years old.[4]
Malott went to post-secondary education at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia and trained at Titans MMA while on the east coast.[5] During his time at university Malott took his first professional MMA fight at ECC 12: Rage against James Saunders winning by submission in the first round.[3]
After winning his first four professional fights, Malott suffered his first loss against Hakeem Dawodu in 2014 and his following match-up went to a majority draw against Ousmane Thomas Diagne in 2015.[4] Malott took his next bout in 2017 against Craig Shintani for the vacant XFFC Lightweight Championship. He won the bout via knockout in 36 seconds.[6]
Malott took an extended hiatus from competing in mixed martial arts at the end of 2017.[5] Instead, he focused on his grappling skills competing in many BJJ super fights and earning his black belt.[7][8][9] At this time he also began coaching striking at Team Alpha Male in Sacramento, California.[10] During his time there he cornered many UFC fighters including Urijah Faber and Cody Garbrandt.[5]
After a three-year hiatus, Malott returned to MMA in December 2020 for Cage Fury 91 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, United States. He won the bout against Solomon Renfro in the first round.[10]
After his win over Renfro, Malott earned a spot on season 5 of Dana White's Contender Series and was scheduled against Shimon Smotritsky.[10] Malott beat Smotritsky with a guillotine choke submission in the first round and was awarded a UFC contract by Dana White.[11]
Malott's promotional debut came against Mickey Gall on April 9, 2022, at UFC 273. Malott won the fight via technical knockout in the first round.[12]
Malott next faced fellow Canadian Yohan Lainesse on February 25, 2023 at UFC Fight Night: Muniz vs. Allen. He won the fight via submission by arm-triangle choke in the first round.[9] The win earned Malott his first Performance of the Night bonus award.[13]
Malott faced Adam Fugitt on June 10, 2023 at UFC 289 in Vancouver, British Columbia.[14] He won the bout via submission in the second round, knocking Fugitt down and submitting him with a guillotine choke.[15] The win also earned Malott his second Performance of the Night bonus award.[16]
Malott faced Neil Magny on January 20, 2024, at UFC 297.[17] After dominating Magny on the ground and landing leg kicks throughout the majority of the fight, Malott lost the fight via technical knockout in round three.[18]
Malott was scheduled to face Gilbert Urbina on July 13, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 59.[19] However, Urbina withdrew from the bout due to undisclosed reasons and Malott decided not to fight another opponent as a result of an injury sustained during training, so the bout was scrapped.[20]
Malott is scheduled to face Trevin Giles on November 2, 2024 at UFC Fight Night 246.[21]
Mike Malott's younger brother Jeff Malott is a professional hockey player who currently is signed with the Los Angeles Kings organization of the National Hockey League.
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