An all-Canadian welterweight affair kicked off the UFC Vegas 70 main card on Saturday, as “Proper” Mike Malott took on Yohan Lainesse.
Both fighters had won their way into the UFC on the Contender Series in 2021; both were coming off their first win in the promotion. Adding a bit of regional flavor, the match-up pitted the provinces of Ontario (Malott) and Quebec (Lainesse) against one another.
Lainesse opened with a kick, and circled on the outside. Malott fired a side kick to the midsection, and went back to his kicks several more times in the early moments of the bout. The pair settle down a little, feeling each other out until Lainesse charged forward with just over two minutes in the frame remaining. He closed the distance in a flash, punching to close the distance, but found himself taken down by Malott.
That gave Malott roughly two minutes to work on top. Lainesse tied up his neck from bottom, but Malott pulled free quickly, getting to half-guard as Lainesse tried to scramble out. From there, Malott was able to lock up an arm-triangle choke, and moments later, Lainesse tapped!
Improving to 2-0 in the UFC and 9-1-1 overall, Malott had another superb showing on Saturday night. With the victory, he joined Niagara Top Team teammate Jasmine Jasudavicius in the winner’s circle, after she earned a one-sided unanimous decision over Gabriella Fernandes earlier in the evening.
Official Result: Mike Malott def. Yohan Lainesse by submission (arm-triangle choke), Round 1, 4:15
