UFC Edmonton is this weekend. That means it’s time for Canada’s twice-a-year public holiday: Mike Malott Day. There’s one of Ontario’s own headlining UFC cards, regardless of where it is in Canada and whether it’s several time zones away from his hometown (like this weekend).
These Canadian cards are trying to make the most of the low talent pool north of the border right now. It hurts to see that coming from someone who became such a big fan and eventually writer because of names like Georges St-Pierre, Rory McDonald, Patrick Cote, Sam Stout and Brock Lesnar.
It’s become a running joke that Malott has to headline every Canadian card. But realistically, who will replace him now?
Joaquin Buckley, battling Malotti in Edmonton, has had a bit of fun this week. He has claimed to be more popular in Edmonton than Malott. And he’s also making sure everyone knows the poster is Buckley vs Malott, not the other way around.
Full Send MMA tried to bait Malotti at media day by telling him things that Buckley has said. “Proper” did its best to gloss over Buckley’s comments and then gave some so-called. Letterkenny– like the answers you’d expect from him.
“Listen man, he’s a great fighter, top ten in the world for a reason,” Malott politely offered. “I’m extremely fortunate to have an opponent that gives me a chance to get into the top 10, but as far as my name and exposure in Canada; I’ve played in the main event in Canada without him, he would never be in Canada without me.”
“He’s in the main event because I’m in the main event of this fight,” Malott continued. “We just need someone in a position that I can take. And he’s the guy I’m going to take.”
The reporter up there, sorry I don’t know his name, then tried to get Malotti to say it was “his card.” Malott agreed, but sheepishly, as any good pond hockey-playing Tragically Hip listen would, a Moosehead drinking boy would. Don’t want to take too much credit and show someone up, right?
This reporter again – sorry I don’t know his name then did what we media types like to do. He took the words he had received from Malotti and ran straight to Buckley to hear what he had to say about them.
A more natural trash talker, Buckley took the opportunity to call Malotti “unknown” even in his own country.
“A lot of guys in Canada showed me a lot of love and just put me in a position where it’s really clear that I’m known everywhere,” Buckley said. “I’m a different weight when it comes to me for the main event. But Mike Malott is just a true story; nobody knows you, family.”
Buckley knows what he’s doing and is great at it. But despite how many pleasant people he has met Canadathe crowd in Edmonton will likely blow the roof off Malotti, as they have in Vancouver, Montreal and Winnipeg.
