UFC Fight Night Predictions & Picks: Buckley vs Malott
UFC Fight Night: Buckley vs Malott takes place Saturday, October 17 at Rogers Place, Edmonton Canada, headlined by Joaquin Buckley vs. Mike Malott. The main card also features Erin Blanchfield vs. Jasmine Jasudavicius and Kyle Nelson vs. Cristian Perez.
Who do our experts like to get their hands raised at UFC Fight Night?
UFC Fight Night Main Event: Joaquin Buckley vs. Mike Malott
HayJive – Joaquin Buckley
- “Buckley is coming off back-to-back losses against high-level grapplers, but I don’t believe Malott presents that same level of threat, especially considering the favorable matchups he’s benefited from. Malott has struggled when facing resistance, and I expect Buckley’s power, relentless pressure, and cardio to make him increasingly uncomfortable over five rounds. Malott is dangerous early, but if he doesn’t find a finish, I expect Buckley to take over as the fight progresses.”
Nolan – Joaquin Buckley
- “Buckley has fought a very high level of competition, and at 170lb he’s really only lost when guys can hold him down. Malott has beat some guys that are either older or average. I don’t like Malott’s output, cardio, or will to dog it out.”
The Fight Analyst – Mike Malott
- “Mike Malott is in his prime and is ready for a statement win this weekend. I expect him to land the cleaner shots and mix in the takedowns to get the win on his home soil and in front of his hometown crowd.”
JJ (The Octagon King) – Joaquin Buckley
- “I believe experience matters and we will see it in full display here. Malott has talent but can let fights get closer than needed.”
Austin Swaim – Mike Malott
- “I’ve been skeptical of Buckley for most of his run toward the welterweight rankings, and it’s been appropriate outside of a win over a retiring Colby Covington. Malott *can* wrestle and bring back some of the grappling woes we’ve seen for “New Mansa” in spots, but he’s also the better boxer with more recent evidence of game-changing power.”
Pap – Joaquin Buckley
- “Buckley is the more explosive fighter, great cardio, and I believe 5 rounds favors him. I expect him to eventually catch Malott in the championship rounds.”
UFC Fight Night Co-Main Event: Erin Blanchfield vs. Jasmine Jasudavicius
HayJive – Erin Blanchfield
- “I think this matchup is much closer than the odds suggest, with both fighters having similar statistical profiles and solid cardio. Blanchfield is 10 years younger, has consistently shown the ability to get back to her feet, and I believe she has more upside to secure top control. Jasmine is absolutely live here, but I slightly favor Blanchfield in what should be a competitive fight.”
Nolan – Erin Blanchfield
- “This fight could be pretty close, however I don’t think Jasmine will hold a big strength advantage which is what she uses to win alot of fights. The striking should be even, but I think it’s Blanchfield who will be scoring more throughout the fight.”
The Fight Analyst – Jasmine Jasudavicius
- “I know many will be taking Blanchfield here but this is a winnable fight for Jasmine if she can keep this fight standing. Jasmine has shown to have good takedown defense and will be the much larger fighter, so if she keeps this fight on her feet I expect her to outstrike Blanchfield and secure the biggest win of her career.”
JJ (The Octagon King) – Erin Blanchfield
- “I believe that Jasmine has a solid chance, though Erin will have slightly more control time that matters far more in WMMA. Blanchfield also has slightly more finishing upside.”
Austin Swaim – Erin Blanchfield
- “Other than just being large for two rounds on top, I don’t know how Jasmine Jasudavicius wins this fights. She’s at an extreme kickboxing deficit in terms of both volume and efficiency, and taking Blanchfield to the ground is never a good idea. I think Erin is undervalued to find a finish here.”
Pap – Erin Blanchfield
- “I believe Erin Blanchfield is the more complete fighter, Jasmine has an unorthodox style but I expect Erin to get the better of the exchanges on the feet. Erin also has the superior wrestling.”
Kyle Nelson vs. Cristian Perez
HayJive – Cristian Perez
- “Despite making his UFC debut, Perez brings plenty of experience, dangerous power in his hands, and legitimate submission threats. I believe Nelson is on the decline, and I don’t trust him to respond well once Perez starts landing shots and applying pressure. Unless Nelson can make Perez uncomfortable early, I expect Perez to take control and potentially find a finish.”
Nolan – Cristian Perez
- “Perez is a great prospect who’s well rounded. He should hold a power and speed advantage here, and Kyle hasn’t looked great lately.”
The Fight Analyst – Cristian Perez
- “I’ve been waiting for Cristian Perez to make his UFC debut. He should go in there and put in the work against Kyle Nelson eventually putting him away midway through the fight.”
JJ (The Octagon King) – Cristian Perez
- “I believe in Perez despite not having the hometown. While Nelson can be durable, I don’t think he will fair well here.”
Austin Swaim – Cristian Perez
- “Perez is one of the 10 best prospects off this season of DWCS, which is unchanged by a loss to a cyborg-like Manoel Sousa in Round 3. I’ve often said Kyle Nelson is a terrible nail, and he’s aging with the most dangerous grappler in front of him that he’s faced in years.”
Pap – Cristian Perez
- “Perez is extra dangerous anywhere this fight may go. I don’t particularly like that Nelson has become a full time fire fighter recently, gives me reason to believe he is on his way out.”
Marc-Andre Barriault vs. Kyle Daukaus
HayJive – Marc-Andre Barriault
- “I’m taking the underdog Barriault because of his toughness, cardio, and relentless clinch work, which I believe will give Daukaus serious problems. Daukaus has shown a tendency to cover up and accept defeat when hurt, having suffered three UFC knockout losses, while Barriault consistently fights through adversity. If Daukaus doesn’t find an early finish, I expect Barriault to wear him down with pressure, clinch work, and elbows.”
Nolan – Marc-Andre Barriault
- “Barriault will fight through adversity and can dog out fights while Daukaus just simply can’t. Daukaus is live early, but if this gets past round 1 the underdog will shine.”
The Fight Analyst – Kyle Daukaus
- “Despite a hiccup against Bo Nickal, Kyle Daukaus should have his way with Marc-Andre Barriault in this matchup. As long as Daukaus can avoid getting clipped he should land his shots, get the takedown and finish MAB there.”
JJ (The Octagon King) – Kyle Daukaus
- “Despite his last loss, Daukaus is one of the most underrated middleweights in the roster. Barriault is a bit older and has a chin that can be unreliable.”
Austin Swaim – Kyle Daukaus
- “Daukaus’ chin is always problematic, but the skill gap here is wide if he avoids getting blinked. Barriault hasn’t been matched with many wrestlers since Anthony Hernandez wilted him there, and his own speed and head defense at distance are concerning. I don’t even think “Powerbar” has his usual cardio edge, either.”
Pap – Kyle Daukaus
- “Barriault has lost 5 out of his last 6. Slight reach advantage here for Daukaus, as well as a clear speed advantage. I expect a bounce back for Kyle.”
Louis Jourdain vs. Timmy Cuamba
HayJive – Timmy Cuamba
- “I believe this fight should be lined much closer, as Cuamba is the younger fighter with more UFC experience and a well-rounded skill set. Jourdain may have more finishing upside, but Cuamba’s recent loss came against a dangerous opponent in Bernardo Sopaj, and I believe he has the skills to bounce back. At +140, I’ll take a shot on Cuamba in a matchup I view as closer to a pick’em.”
Nolan – Timmy Cuamba
- “Cuamba should be the more naturally bigger fighter. He could mix in a full game of wrestling and striking to win minutes here against a debut fighter.”
The Fight Analyst – Louis Jourdain
- “I expect this fight to be a relatively close striking affair between Jourdain and Cuamba. However, Cuamba is so hit and miss he is hard to trust so I expect Jourdain to land the bigger shots in front of the hometown judging and get the win on the scorecards.”
JJ (The Octagon King) – Louis Jourdain
- “I will go with the home court favorite for this one. Considering versatility, I feel comfortable backing Jourdain’s younger brother.”
Austin Swaim – Timmy Cuamba
- “I don’t fade Xtreme Couture guys often, and Cuamba’s bantamweight future isn’t over just because he lost to Bernardo Sopaj, a top-15 fighter. Jourdain’s cupcake schedule before a DWCS showcase leads me to believe if he’s truly not just a mirror image of his brother, who wilts to quality gameplans and opponents. I think this is the betting trap of the main card.”
Pap – Louis Jourdain
- “Tricky matchup here, Cuamba has very clean striking. However I favor the grappling of Jourdain. Big vulnerability there for Cuamba, I think Jourdain can will win more minutes utilizing that grappling edge if not a submission finish.”
Mandel Nallo vs. Nate Landwehr
HayJive – Mandel Nallo
- “I don’t like Landwehr moving up a weight class, especially considering his declining durability and the signs that he’s slowing down. Nallo is dangerous at range with his length, power, devastating calf kicks, and submission ability, particularly early in fights. Landwehr will have to survive a serious early storm, and at this stage of his career, I don’t trust him to do so.”
Nolan – Mandel Nallo
- “Nallo has a lot more weapons here. Nate hasn’t been taking damage well, is older, and will be much slower here too.”
The Fight Analyst – Nate Landwehr
- “This should be an absolute barnburner for however long it lasts. And while it’s hard to really trust either of these two right now there is one thing that is certain and that is win or lose Nate Landwehr will fight for your money.”
JJ (The Octagon King) – Mandel Nallo
- “I think the durability from Nate the Train has been deteriorating. As much as it pains me Nallo has the KO power to get it done quick.”
Austin Swaim – Nate Landwehr
- “Mandel Nallo’s last four pro wins have a combined 41 losses. He was mid in Bellator. I know he’s been billed as this Canadian crusher that just got “caught” in his debut, but I’ve got no doubt Nate Landwehr is the better fighter in this matchup. It’s just a question if The Train’s chin has one more decent fight left at 38 years old.”
Pap – Mandel Nallo
- “Battle of the Uncs. Nallo has a decent size advantage here, but if he gets reckless against Nate I could see an upset here. Not a super confident pick but if he approaches this fight strategically Nallo can pull off a KO/dec win.”
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