Buckley vs Malott Preview: Reach and Power Meet Precision in Edmonton

Two ranked welterweights headline UFC Fight Night at Rogers Place in Edmonton on Saturday, Oct. 17. Joaquin Buckley, the #10 contender known as "New Mansa," is 21-8-0 at 32 and has been fighting in the Octagon since 2020. Across the cage is Canada's own Mike Malott, "Proper," the #13 welterweight: 34 years old, 14-2-1 and a UFC fighter since 2022.

Stand them side by side and Malott looks like the bigger man at 6-foot-1 to Buckley's 5-foot-10. The tape says otherwise where it matters: Buckley carries a 76-inch reach, three inches more than Malott's 73, so the American should be the one touching first at range. What he does with those touches is the story. Buckley is a knockout puncher through and through. Fifteen of his 21 wins (71%) came by KO or TKO, the other six on the scorecards, none by submission. He isn't efficient, landing 723 of 1,988 significant strikes in the UFC for 36% accuracy, but he only needs one.

Malott is the sharper striker on paper. He lands 48% of his significant strikes (370 of 769) and puts 4.02 per minute on opponents to Buckley's 3.62, while the two absorb almost identical amounts, 3.09 and 3.10. The bigger gaps come in finishing:

• Finishes: Malott has six knockouts, six submissions and nine first-round stoppages; Buckley has four first-round finishes.
• Knockdowns: Malott averages 0.82, Buckley 0.68.
• Submission threat: Malott averages 0.65 attempts per 15 minutes; Buckley sits at 0.08.
• Fight length: Malott's UFC bouts average 9:12, Buckley's 11:45.

Where Buckley pushes back is on defense. Opponents miss 59% of their significant strikes against him and he stops 70% of takedowns; Malott's numbers are 56% and 57%. Buckley lives on the feet, with 75% of his significant strikes landing standing, 19% on the ground and just 6% in the clinch, and he rarely gets takedowns of his own, going 7 for 42. It all comes down to one question: can Malott's accuracy and submission game get to work before Buckley's reach and power find the mark?

Prelims start at 3 p.m. local time and the main card at 6 p.m., with this one closing the night. Both men can end a fight in the first round, so don't cut it close. Grab your Buckley vs Malott tickets in Edmonton.