With three straight stoppages since joining the UFC, Mike Malott is ready to bring that Canadian Stampede energy into the octagon against a very tough Adam Fugitt at UFC 289, tonight at the Rogers Arena in Vancouver, BC.
The UFC odds paint this as a winnable fight for Malott at -205. Fugitt is no stranger to being an underdog, and NFL odds acknowledge his tendency for upsetting young talent at a price of +175. Both of these fighters are known for their short nights, and a finish might be on the cards again.
Here’s how I see Malott vs. Fugitt unfolding, as well as who wins and how in my preview of their UFC 289 clash.
Mike Malott vs Adam Fugitt fight odds
Mike Malott vs Adam Fugitt method of victory odds
| Method of Victory | Mike Malott | Adam Fugitt |
|---|---|---|
| To win by KO/TKO/DQ | +230 | +400 |
| To win by Points | +550 | +600 |
| To win by Submission | +250 | +1,100 |
| Draw | +5,000 | +5,000 |
Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook on June 10, 2023.
Mike Malott vs Adam Fugitt picks
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.
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Mike Malott vs Adam Fugitt betting preview
Canada’s Mike Malott is exhibiting traits that suggest he could be a force at welterweight. It took him 39 seconds to submit Shimon Smotritsky and earn his spot on the UFC roster, then he stopped Mickey Gall and Yohan Lainesse inside the distance.
Malott is a crisp striker with a black belt in BJJ and excellent finishing skills. His composed attack is formidable both in striking and on the ground. All nine of Malott’s wins have been finishes, and he has an average fight time of 5:36.
The way Malott wins this fight is by putting Fugitt on his back foot and taking advantage of his poor striking defense. Fugitt may try to wrestle to test his cardio, but Malott should have the advantage unless he suffers a hard knockdown.
Adam Fugitt should find some relief that he’s getting a full training camp for a change. After being called up as a super-late opponent in a loss to Michael Morales, he upset Yusaku Kinoshita on just nine days notice. A tough battler who possesses good all-around skill, Fugitt is not likely to be phased as an underdog once again.
The heavy-handed Fugitt has eight finishes in nine wins. He's active and can put a hurting on his opponent if their defense isn’t on point. Though he struggles with defending himself at times, he believes enough in his power and chin to get dusty when the time calls for it.
Fugitt isn’t going to win a technical fight: He’ll need to brawl and make it ugly against Malott, who is going to try and make him move to his methodical pacing. Malott is a sharpshooter up top and a capable submission artist on the ground, so Fugitt needs to push the action and keep him off his rhythm.
Mike Malott vs Adam Fugitt tale of the tape
| Mike Malott | Adam Fugitt | |
|---|---|---|
| 31 | Age | 34 |
| 6-foot-1 | Height | 6-foot-1 |
| 170 lbs | Weight | 170 lbs |
| 73 inches | Reach | 77 inches |
| 9-1 (4 KO) | Record | 9-3 (5 KO) |
Mike Malott vs Adam Fugitt UFC prediction and best bet
Fight prediction: Malott ML
The call here is for Malott to use his better striking and better everything to take down his more limited opponent. Fugitt is tough, but his leaky striking defense won’t do him any favors with Malott’s precise attacks, and I don’t think Fugitt can match him on the ground. Oddsmakers see this as a test for Malott, but I think he passes with flying colors.
Prediction: Malott moneyline (-205 at DraftKings)
Fight best bet: Malott to win by sub in R1
Malott is going to send his hometown crowd happy, picking Fugitt apart and getting a finish on the ground. With three of Malott’s last four wins coming by submission, and considering his opponent’s defensive deficiencies, what’s not to love about a first-round submission here? I’ll take Malott by first-round submission as the pick of the fight.
Pick: Malott to win by submission in Round 1 (+200 at DraftKings)
