In terms of quality UFC Edmonton could easily be considered just another UFC Vegas card. The event featured two relevant matches between ranked athletes and then a whole host of newcomers and mid-level veterans, just like a regular night at Meta Apex.
The standout difference? A record 12 Canadians competed in Edmonton … and it didn’t get off to a good start.
The first five Canadians to compete all finished in mostly one-sided contests. Four of them were submitted in a weak fight and the exception was dropped the lowest ranked UFC heavyweight fight since last weekend. It was starting to look like a bleak evening for Canada until Edmonton’s Tanner Boser flipped the script with his display of offensive wrestling.
Nothing against “Bulldozer,” but we can’t argue that his fight mattered in the grand scheme of things. Of course, it’s better for the fans in attendance that their athletes win at least once in a while, but Canada doesn’t just want random prelim wins. Older action fighters will love it Almond Nallo and Marc-Andre Barriault racking up main card wins is great, but it’s no substitute for when George St. Pierre ruled the Octagon for ten years.
There’s no replacing “GSP”, but some actual candidates would be nice, right? As it turns out, UFC Edmonton had two of the biggest wins of their current career, teammates. Jasmine Jasudavicius and Michael Malott.
In the co-main event, Jasudavicius was a significant underdog widely expected to beat. Erin Blanchfield. Blanchfield is the most successful jiu-jitsu player in the division, but also a full decade younger. He’s on the rise, while Jasudavicius has felt like an overachiever at times.
He continued to dominate last night! Jasudavicius timed his takedowns well, then used a combination of physicality and masterful striking back to cleanly control the more accomplished grappler. It was the biggest upset of the night and a win should propel Jasudavicius into the top five of the women’s flyweight division.
The late bloomer has now won seven of his last eight and could be Canada’s best hope for gold in 2027.
Meanwhile, Malott has consistently impressed since signing with the UFC in 2022. Despite slick finishes on the feet and the canvas, fight fans have been hesitant to rally behind “Proper” Mike. He is not 34 years young and Neil Magny the stoppage loss – in which Malott beat Magny until exhaustion in the final seconds of the fight – is still remembered by many.
Malott’s main event performance should help everyone move forward. He showed great composure and bravery to face the acclaimed puncher and try to achieve his knockout. Buckley is a scary man to face. He lunges forward and throws his hooks at weird angles. It’s a disadvantage in many ways, but his erratic offense can throw off veteran opposition and make them hesitate.
Malott played his opponent well. He took his time with kicks and moves to establish Buckley’s range, breaking him down with knees and then punching him in the face when he was tired. Buckley’s mouthpiece bulging across the octagon will forever be a career highlight for Malotti, helping propel him into the Top 10 with considerable momentum.
Suddenly, Malott, who had won eight of his nine UFC bouts, could find himself in the cage with a former UFC champion like Belal Muhammad or As Jack Della Maddalena next. He’s still a win or two away from a title shot, but he’s officially entered that level and there’s no arguing with him.
Hope still lives for another UFC champion, “The Great White North”.
To be complete UFC Edmonton for results and play-by-play, click here.
