The high-stakes matchup took place at UFC Edmonton on Saturday, where Buckley traveled into hostile territory to face Canadian standout Mike Malott in front of his hometown crowd. The bout carried significant implications for both competitors within the talent-rich organization, serving as a marquee test on the main card of the event. Throughout the opening frame and into the second round, both athletes engaged in tactical exchanges, searching for an opening to seize control of the contest.
The turning point arrived in the second round when Malott capitalized on a momentary opening, landing a sharp, well-timed knee that altered the momentum of the fight. Before Buckley could fully recover from the impact, Malott quickly followed up with a decisive punch, prompting the referee to step in and wave off the contest, bringing a sudden halt to the action and awarding Malott the victory on home soil.
Despite the difficult setback and the mounting challenges of a three-fight skid, the fighter known as "New Mansa" has chosen to maintain a profoundly optimistic outlook regarding his career trajectory. Rather than shrinking from the adversity that often accompanies a difficult stretch in elite combat sports, Buckley is leaning directly into the experience, viewing the current chapter not as an end, but as a necessary crucible for future growth.
Joaquin Buckley plans to document his rebuild after Mike Malott’s UFC Edmonton knockout
The recent defeat marks a stark contrast to the dominant momentum Buckley enjoyed just prior to his current skid. Before hitting this rough patch, the explosive contender put together an impressive streak of six consecutive victories inside the Octagon, showcasing the raw power, athleticism, and finishing instinct that made him a feared name across multiple weight classes. Now, facing the reality of a setback in Edmonton, Buckley is channeling his trademark energy into a new kind of project.
Instead of retreating from the public eye to recalibrate behind closed doors, Buckley has announced plans to livestream and comprehensively document his entire rebuilding process, opening the door for his supporters to witness the raw and unfiltered reality of an elite professional athlete fighting his way back to the top.
"Right now, we rebuilding and I want y’all to see the process, not just the results," Buckley wrote in the caption of a candid postfight Instagram post that quickly drew the attention of the mixed martial arts community. "The highs, the lows, and everything it takes to become who God called me to be."
In the accompanying video shared with his followers on social media, Buckley elaborated further on his vision for transparency, explaining that his goal is to pull back the curtain on the grueling daily grind of training camp life, the inner workings of his coaching staff, and the foundational changes required to reinvent his approach inside the cage.
"I realize that I want to document everything," Buckley said in the video message to his fans. "I want to document the process, I want to document the work, I want to document the team. This is really just starting back over from scratch; creating a new foundation and making something happen… I’m not going to stop; I’m going to keep working. And I’ll make sure that everybody remembers that name."
The decision to invite the public into his gym, his training sessions, and his personal reflections highlights a unique approach to handling adversity in the modern era of combat sports. By turning a vulnerable moment into a transparent journey, Buckley aims to forge a deeper connection with his fanbase while simultaneously holding himself accountable to the high standards he has set for his professional career.
As the Ultimate Fighting Championship roster continues to evolve at a blistering pace, athletes must constantly adapt, innovate, and find new ways to overcome physical and mental hurdles. For Joaquin Buckley, the path forward begins with a blank slate, a rebuilt foundation, and a camera rolling to capture every single step of the grueling climb back to championship contention.
