Fresh off a stunning, highlight-reel knockout at UFC Edmonton, Canada’s own Mike Malott has quickly captured the attention of the upper echelon of the welterweight division. Following a devastating flying knee finish that put away Joaquin Buckley in dramatic fashion, Malott finds himself not only riding a major wave of momentum but also drawing the direct interest of former divisional titleholders. Among them is former champion Belal Muhammad, who has publicly thrown his hat into the ring and made it clear that he is more than willing to step into the Octagon with the surging Canadian contender.
Muhammad addressed the potential matchup in a recent video post shared on his official YouTube channel, breaking down the current landscape of the welterweight division and explaining why a clash with Malott makes complete sense for his career trajectory.
“Obviously, when you’re looking at the division, you’re looking at what’s next for Mike Malott, and people are bringing up my name a lot. For sure. The fight definitely makes sense for myself,” stated Muhammad, whose professional mixed martial arts record stands at 24 wins, 6 losses, and 1 no-contest. Currently navigating a challenging three-fight skid, the former champion is eager to reverse his fortunes against one of the division’s most dangerous and talked-about rising talents.
“When I’m looking at the division, I’m looking at who I want to fight. They know we want to fight Kamaru Usman, but I’m not going to sit there and wait,” Muhammad continued, acknowledging that while a matchup with the former dominant champion remains an aspiration, remaining active and competing against top-tier opposition takes precedence over prolonged inactivity.
“When I’m looking at who’s hot right now, who’s on a streak, Mike Malott’s got a good win streak going, a win over him puts you in a good spot and puts you back into the mix. And reminds people who you are,” Muhammad added. “So for myself, if Usman’s not trying to go, then for sure, ‘Proper’ Mike Malott would definitely be a yes from my end. So we’ll see what the UFC does, what the UFC brings and what they want to do with it.”
The proposition of a bout between Muhammad and Malott highlights the shifting dynamics of the UFC’s 170-pound weight class. Muhammad reached the pinnacle of the division in July 2024, putting on a masterclass performance to defeat Leon Edwards and capture the coveted welterweight championship gold. However, his reign at the top was short-lived. He surrendered the title—coincidentally on Canadian soil—to Australia’s Jack Della Maddalena the following May. In the months that followed, Muhammad experienced a difficult stretch, dropping subsequent bouts to elite contenders Ian Machado Garry and Gabriel Bonfim, leaving him determined to engineer a definitive rebound.
Across the cage from him stands Mike Malott, a fighter whose ascent through the UFC ranks has been marked by precision, power, and high-stakes victories. Malott has put together an impressive five-fight win streak inside the Octagon, showcasing his evolution as a complete martial artist. His recent run features high-profile triumphs over seasoned veterans such as Kevin Holland and Gilbert Burns, culminating in the stunning knockout victory over Buckley at UFC Edmonton. With those victories, Malott has solidified his status as an elite force, boasting an overall UFC record of 8-1.
In the current divisional hierarchy, both men occupy prominent positions among the elite. Muhammad is currently ranked #7 in the official UFC rankings, which are voted on by a panel of media members, while Malott sits closely behind at #10. Their standings reflect similar proximity in Meta’s AI rankings, where Muhammad holds the #7 spot and Malott is positioned at #8. The close placement in the rankings, combined with Muhammad’s status as a former champion and Malott’s undeniable momentum as one of the division’s hottest fighters, provides all the ingredients necessary for a high-stakes, compelling clash.
As matchmakers look ahead to upcoming events, anticipation is already building regarding where and when Malott might make his next walk to the Octagon. Industry insiders and fans alike widely expect the Canadian standout to feature prominently on the fight card for UFC 336, which is slated to take place in Toronto on January 30, 2027. Whether the UFC brass chooses to pair Malott with Muhammad for that event or take another direction remains to be seen, but with Muhammad publicly giving the matchup a definitive green light, the ball is now firmly in the promotion’s court to decide the next chapter for both welterweight contenders.
