Canada Combat: The UFC Returns to Edmonton for Joaquin Buckley vs. Mike Malott

We’re on the road to 20+ Units after another winning night at UFC Vegas 122.

The biggest takeaway so far this year is that smaller cards with untrustworthy favorites are the biggest hit-or-miss bets. The UFC is saturated with questionable talent, and most of these matchups are anyone’s night. It’s time to lock in, hammer the picks we love, and second-guess the ones we can’t trust anymore.

The UFC heads back to Canada for UFC Edmonton with a main event between Joaquin Buckley and Mike Malott. Both fighters are hungry to climb the ladder and get into the title picture. In the co-main event, Erin Blanchfield and Jasmine Jasudavicius, which is another example of top-tier contenders looking to take the next step. 

Let’s take a look at the main card, and don’t forget to check back later in the week for our UFC Edmonton best bets.

UFC Edmonton Main Card Breakdown

Mandel Nallo

1.35

3.25

Nate Landwehr

Mandel Nallo enters this lightweight contest as a long, dangerous finisher training out of Tristar Gym. Standing 6’0″ with a 75-inch reach, Nallo boasts a 100% finish rate across his career, possessing creative single-strike knockout power, slick submission skills, and dynamic long-range striking. While his offensive arsenal is lethal, his pacing and defense can be tested. Jai Herbert weathered the storm and came back with his own power shots to finish Nallo last time out. Being more calculated and waiting for his moment will be a major part of his growth as a UFC fighter.

Nate Landwehr brings wild, fan-favorite aggression, high-volume boxing, and an uncompromising forward march. Thriving in high-octane firefights, Landwehr relies on relentlessly cutting off the cage, smothering opponents inside the pocket, and wearing them down through cardio and durability. However, his willingness to trade in high-risk exchanges and leave his chin exposed makes every fight a volatile, high-damage affair. After a strong run, Landwehr is starting to take a step back as the competition gets tougher.

The fight presents a sharp tactical clash between Nallo’s range sniping and Landwehr’s chaotic forward pressure. Landwehr’s best path to victory is to make the fight ugly early, drag Nallo into the pocket, and break his rhythm with continuous physical pressure. However, Nallo’s superior length, razor-sharp counters, and high-impact finishing ability give him the edge to catch an oncoming Landwehr with a fight-ending strike or submission as he closes the distance.  

Louis Jourdain

1.50

2.64

Timothy Cuamba

Louis Jourdain enters this bantamweight matchup as an aggressive, explosive Canadian prospect looking to build a name. Jourdain brings dynamic, high-volume striking paired with dangerous, opportunistic grappling. He brings unrelenting forward pressure and sharp submission skills off scrambles. Jourdain excels when he can push a frantic pace, swarm opponents with strikes, and look for big finishes.

Timothy Cuamba relies on a long, technical kickboxing foundation, fast hands, and sharp long-range distance management. Training out of Xtreme Couture, Cuamba carries explosive knockout power in his hands and knees, preferring work in open space where he can fire combinations and exit before taking damage. While his chin and durability are big parts of his game, he tends to struggle when he needs to defend grappling exchanges and hits the mat.

This fight comes down to Cuamba’s range striking and Jourdain’s aggressive, multi-level pressure. Cuamba’s best path to victory is his length and straight counter-punches to keep Jourdain at bay and punish him as he tries to close the distance. However, Jourdain’s superior scrambling, continuous volume, and ground threats give him the tactical edge to bypass Cuamba’s range, initiate heavy grappling exchanges, and earn a late submission or hard-fought decision win.

Marc-Andre Barriault

2.70

1.48

Kyle Daukaus

Marc-André Barriault enters this contest as a grinding, high-durability brawler who relies on relentless dirty boxing and high-volume stamina. Barriault excels when he can turn fights into grueling wars of attrition, smothering opponents against the fence with knees, short punches, and continuous pressure. While his defense off the center line and technical range striking can be exploited, his physical conditioning allows him to wear down fighters who fail to put him away early.

Kyle Daukaus brings a long, dangerous submission-grappling game paired with technical southpaw range striking. The Philadelphia native operates best when using his 76-inch reach to establish straight left hands before timing entries into slick front chokes, D’Arce setups, and back-takes on the mat. While his striking volume and physical durability have occasionally wavered under heavy pressure, his ability to exploit defensive mistakes in mat scrambles makes him an immediate finish threat whenever the fight goes to the ground.

The matchup comes down to Barriault’s physical, grinding volume and Daukaus’ technical submission skills. Barriault’s clearest path to victory is pinning Daukaus against the cage and turning the fight into a dirty-boxing brawl. However, Daukaus’ superior length, slick southpaw counters, and elite submission arsenal give him the tactical edge to catch Barriault on an entry attempt, drag him to the canvas, and secure a choke or ground-heavy decision win.   

Kyle Nelson

3.95

1.26

Cristian Perez

Kyle Nelson enters this lightweight contest as a tough, physical Canadian veteran known for his heavy leg kicks, solid takedown defense, and grinding pocket-boxing style. Nelson relies on imposing his strength early, chopping at his opponent’s lead leg, and forcing relentless battles against the cage. While his physical durability and veteran grit make him a grueling assignment, his pacing and output can drop late in fights, leaving him open to high-volume attackers.

Cristian Pérez is a dynamic Mexican prospect with high-level finishing capability on both the feet and the canvas. A dangerous submission finisher with fluid scramble ability, Pérez excels when he can push an explosive pace, unleash wild knee strikes, and hunt opportunistic neck attacks off level changes. While his defensive mechanics can be loose during wild pocket trades, his speed, relentless pressure, and submission creativity make him a threat at all times.

The fight centers on a classic dynamic of Nelson’s physical strength and veteran durability against Pérez’s speed and explosiveness. Pérez’s best path to victory is using his pace to draw Nelson into scrambles, wear down the veteran, and hunt for a submission finish off a scramble. However, Nelson’s structural size, heavy calf kicks, and cage control give him the tactical edge to slow the pace, control the fight, and earn a hard-fought decision win.   

Erin Blanchfield

1.32

3.50

Jasmine Jasudavicius

Erin Blanchfield enters this flyweight clash as one of the division’s premier grappling talents, bringing high-level Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt credentials and relentless mat pressure. Known for her suffocating top control, fluid guard passes, and dangerous submission setups, Blanchfield excels at dragging opponents to the canvas and dominating ground exchanges. While her open-space striking defense continues to evolve, her durable chin, constant forward momentum, and high-volume grappling make her a threat against any contender.

Jasmine Jasudavicius relies on a grinding, physical style built around heavy clinch work, persistent takedown attempts, and strong top-position control. With physical size and a 68-inch reach at flyweight, the Canadian veteran excels when forcing opponents against the cage and wearing them down through attrition and wrestling. Though she uses her striking to set up wrestling entries, her durability, cardio, and relentless ground-and-pound make her a grueling challenge.

The matchup presents an intense grappling battle where positional dominance and clinch control will decide the winner. Jasudavicius’ clearest path to victory is her size and strength along the cage. She needs to pin Blanchfield, stifle her guard-passing, and grind out rounds in close quarters. However, Blanchfield’s superior submission technicality, scramble speed, and ground control give her the structural edge to reverse positions, dictate the mat action, and earn a late submission finish or clear decision win.   

Joaquin Buckley

2.14

1.74

Mike Malott

Joaquin Buckley enters this fight with explosive athleticism, fast combinations, and dynamic level-change capabilities. Since moving down to 170 pounds, Buckley has combined his signature power with refined volume, utilizing aggressive forward movement to press opponents against the fence. While his low-guard stance and explosive blitzes can open counters, his upper-body wrestling defense and heavy hooks make him a dangerous fighter in all five rounds.

Mike Malott carries high-level finisher instincts, crisp technical kickboxing, and a lethal submission arsenal. Malott excels at distance control with straight lefts, hard roundhouse kicks, and opportunistic guillotine chokes off sloppy entries. While his pacing and defensive durability have been tested, his ability to land high-impact counters and snatch submissions in open space makes him an immediate finish threat.

The main event sets up an explosive battle of range control and physical pace between two dangerous welterweight contenders. Malott’s best route to victory is his kicks and length to manage distance, timing precise counters as Buckley blitzes, or catching Buckley in a choke submission on a shoot attempt. However, Buckley’s unrelenting pace, explosive physical strength, and high-volume wrestling threat give him the tactical edge to wear Malott down over five rounds and earn a hard-fought decision or late-round stoppage win.

UFC Edmonton Best Bets

• 2025 Total Units Won: +29.97 Units
• 2026 Record: 84-95-1 +19.78 Units

(Every bet is 1 Unit unless specified)

(Coming Soon…)

UFC Edmonton is similar to every other UFC card in Canada. There is a nice mix of Canadian contenders and UFC hopefuls, with big enough names to sell the card. Both main events should be competitive, while the rest of the card should have plenty of finishes. The good news is this is the last card before an action-packed UFC 333. Stay tuned.

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