UFC Fight Night takes place at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Canada on Saturday (Sunday the 18th of October in South Africa). Joaquin Buckley faces Mike Malott in the welterweight main event. We take a closer look at that contest and two additional bouts from the main card from a betting angle below.
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JOAQUIN BUCKLEY vs MIKE MALOTT
Welterweight – Main Event:
Joaquin Buckley enters this main event with a UFC record of 11 wins and 6 losses. The American is a powerful striker who relies on his explosive combinations and knockout ability to trouble opponents. His aggressive approach makes him particularly dangerous when exchanges take place on the feet.
Buckley heads into this contest looking to recover from consecutive unanimous decision defeats to Kamaru Usman and most recently Sean Brady in May. Those setbacks ended an impressive six fight winning streak that included knockout victories over Vicente Luque, Stephen Thompson and Colby Covington.
Mike Malott brings a resume of 7 wins and 1 loss under the organisation into this matchup. The Canadian is a well-rounded fighter who combines effective striking with a strong submission game. His ability to finish opponents both standing and on the ground gives him several options when looking to take control of a contest.
Malott has recorded four straight victories since suffering his only UFC defeat against Neil Magny in January 2024. He returned with a unanimous decision win over Trevin Giles before stopping Charles Radtke and overcoming Kevin Holland on the scorecards. His latest outing saw him knock out Gilbert Burns in the third round in April.
BETTING – click here to bet
Buckley 2.10
Malott 1.77
PREDICTION:
Buckley will be eager to return to winning ways and his explosive striking could cause problems for Malott if the contest remains standing. The Canadian has built considerable momentum and possesses the versatility to compete in different areas of the fight. Despite this I believe Buckley’s experience at a higher level will guide him to a decision victory.
ERIN BLANCHFIELD vs JASMINE JASUDAVICIUS
Women’s Flyweight – Main Card Bout:
Erin Blanchfield comes into this encounter holding a tally of 8 wins and 1 loss under the promotion. The American is an accomplished grappler who uses her wrestling and submission skills to control opponents on the ground. Her ability to maintain pressure and dictate the pace has made her one of the division’s leading contenders.
Blanchfield has responded well to her unanimous decision defeat against Manon Fiorot in March 2024. She returned with a five round decision victory over former strawweight champion Rose Namajunas later that year before submitting Tracy Cortez in the second round last November. She has also recorded notable victories over Jessica Andrade and Taila Santos during her UFC career.
Jasmine Jasudavicius enters this bout with a UFC record of 9 wins and 3 losses. The Canadian is a physically strong fighter who makes effective use of her wrestling, clinch work and ground control. Her constant pressure and ability to wear down opponents have played an important role in her success inside the organisation.
Jasudavicius has won six of her last seven appearances, with her only defeat during that period coming against Manon Fiorot in October 2025. She previously submitted Jessica Andrade in the opening round and has also beaten Mayra Bueno Silva and Miranda Maverick. Her most recent appearance ended in a unanimous decision victory over Karine Silva in April.
BETTING – click here to bet
Blanchfield 1.29
Jasudavicius 3.75
PREDICTION:
Both fighters possess strong grappling abilities and this could develop into a demanding contest with plenty of exchanges in the clinch and on the ground. Jasudavicius has shown impressive consistency and will benefit from competing in front of a Canadian crowd. Blanchfield, however, has faced some of the division’s strongest opposition and her technical ability on the ground could give her the advantage. I expect the American to edge a competitive fight and claim victory by decision.
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KYLE NELSON vs CRISTIAN PEREZ
Lightweight – Main Card Bout:
Kyle Nelson heads into this matchup having fought 12 times in the UFC of which he has won 5, lost 6 and drawn 1. The Canadian is an experienced fighter who uses his clean striking and powerful shots to challenge opponents. He is particularly dangerous during exchanges at close range, although his aggressive approach can leave him vulnerable to counters.
Nelson has struggled for consistency across his recent appearances, alternating between victories and defeats in his last four fights. He stopped Bill Algeo in the opening round in March 2024 before suffering a knockout defeat to Steve Garcia. A unanimous decision victory over Matt Frevola followed in October 2025 but his latest bout ended in a first round knockout loss to Terrance McKinney in March.
Cristian Perez will be making his UFC debut after earning a contract through Dana White’s Contender Series. The Mexican brings an overall professional record of 15 wins and 2 losses into the contest. He is a mobile fighter who possesses dangerous striking and finishing ability, regularly looking to put opponents under pressure.
He secured his place in the UFC with a second round stoppage victory over Logan Paxton in August. That result followed a first round knockout win against Gilberto Santos in April and marked his recovery from a defeat to Manoel Sousa on the Contender Series in August 2025.
BETTING – click here to bet
Nelson 3.85
Perez 1.26
PREDICTION:
Nelson has considerably more experience competing inside the UFC and will be looking to make that advantage count against the newcomer. Perez has demonstrated dangerous finishing ability and could take advantage of Nelson’s recent defensive struggles. I expect an entertaining contest with both fighters willing to exchange strikes but I favour Perez to make a successful promotional debut with a knockout victory.
SUGGESTED BETS:
Joaquin Buckley vs Mike Malott
Buckley by Decision at 6.50
Erin Blanchfield vs Jasmine Jasudavicius
Blanchfield by Decision at 1.83
Kyle Nelson vs Cristian Pérez
Perez by KO at 2.50
The Treble comes in at 29.74 – use this code to follow 11880218
Note: All prices are subject to confirmation and change.
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