Ex-UFC champ outlines how Mike Malott beats Joaquin Buckley at UFC Edmonton

Mike Malott is all set to collide with Joaquin Buckley in a highly anticipated welterweight showdown. 

Speaking of which, a former UFC welterweight champion recently chimed in and put forth his prediction for the matchup, picking the Canadian combatant to emerge victorious against Buckley. 

Canada's Mike Malott will headline UFC Edmonton against Joaquin Buckley

Mike Malott has lately broken through as a prominent member of the UFC welterweight division, following years of working his way up the food chain in the weight class.

He's accrued a 7-1 record since making his UFC main roster debut, having previously competed in the DWCS (Dana White's Contender Series) as well. The 34-year-old is fresh off a TKO victory against Gilbert Burns from earlier this year. 

On the other hand, Joaquin Buckley's goal to secure a UFC welterweight title shot hit a roadblock last year when he was outpointed by former UFC welterweight kingpin Kamaru Usman. "New Mansa" was seen facing Sean Brady next, a fight that took place this year, wherein he was outpointed yet again. 

Canada's Malott and America's Buckley will headline UFC Edmonton in Edmonton, Canada, on Saturday, October 17. 

Former UFC champ Belal Muhammad explains how Mike Malott beats Joaquin Buckley

Taking to his official YouTube channel, ex-UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad weighed in on the imminent clash between Mike Malott and Joaquin Buckley. 

Muhammad, who is himself hailed for his wrestling prowess, warned that Malott could potentially out-wrestle and outpoint Buckley. "Remember the Name" alluded to Buckley's recent defeats, which saw him get wrestled to the mat and beaten on points. 

Nevertheless, he appeared to acknowledge that Buckley's KO power and striking prowess could help him catch Malott, particularly if the latter isn't defensively disciplined on the feet. Muhammad stated: 

"My pick? I don't know, man. I was swaying toward Buckley. But I don't see it, man. I just think that I see Malott just taking him down again and controlling him on the ground. Yeah, I think he'll be able to do that. I think he'll be able to get on top and control him." 

Predicting that a Malott win is likely, Muhammad said, "Or control him on the feet with his kicks and his straight punches. He stays disciplined with his hands and his technique, not get into brawls, not get into a war; I think he (Mike Malott) could point this one out." 

Muhammad last competed in June, getting outpointed by Gabriel Bonfim. It marked the Palestinian-American athlete's third consecutive defeat inside the Octagon.

He also faced ex-interim UFC welterweight champion and reigning RAF cruiserweight crossover titleholder Colby Covington for the latter's RAF championship last month. Muhammad was beaten in the freestyle wrestling grudge match by way of tech fall. 

On the other hand, Mike Malott is on a four-fight win streak, whereas Joaquin Buckley is on a two-fight losing streak and has lately expressed his desire to broaden the horizons of his combat sports career. 

Watch Belal Muhammad give his prediction for Joaquin Buckley vs. Mike Malott below (*comments at the 9:32-minute mark of the video):