Edmonton — The timing could not have been better for Mike Malott and Jasmine Jasudavicius to pick up massive wins at UFC Edmonton, where both took giant steps forward in their career.
The timing comment was actually made by UFC President and CEO Dana White following Saturday’s Fight Night card at the Rogers Arena in Edmonton, Alberta. And Malott was happy to see, and hear, the positive reaction from his bosses on Saturday.
“It’s incredible, man. As soon as the knockout happened, I turned around and I was kneeling in the octagon, and I just happened to be facing right at Dana White, Hunter Campbell and Sean Shelby. And they were like ‘woah, that’s how you do that!’” recalled Malott (15-2-1), speaking with media outlets including Cageside Press following the fight. “They had some nice things to say.”
“That’s pretty cool to hear that from those guys. At the end of the day, those are the most important people to impress as far as this sport’s concerned. So I’m happy they enjoyed it.”
Malott’s reaction to the finish itself was something of an understatement. “I’m pretty happy with that one. I wouldn’t change that.”
Mike Malott spent a good part of his career coaching for Team Alpha Male, and his Fight IQ has not gone unnoticed. It’s one of the things that sets him apart.
“I think so. I put a lot of thought into this game. I was a coach for a long time, so I had to dissect it from a different perspective than a lot of fighters,” stated Malott. “And I think that’s a big advantage that I have when being matched against guys.”
Malott is willing to put his skillset, “skill for skill, knowledge for knowledge in MMA” against anybody in the world, he added. “I know I’m up there for most knowledgeable mixed martial artists, Fight IQ guys.”
And he’s still trying to get even better. A scary thought for opponents no doubt.
Watch the full UFC Edmonton post-fight press conference with Mike Malott above.