Mike Malott continued to impress at UFC 289, finishing Adam Fugitt in front of his home crowd in the second round.
Mike Malott had soaked up seemingly every minute of his first Fight Week with the UFC in Canada ahead of UFC 289 on Saturday — and was looking to capitalize on his star turn in a welterweight match-up with Adam Fugitt.
For his part, Fugitt had accepted the villain role, egging on Canadian fans in Vancouver. But after weighing in last by a long shot at Friday’s official weigh-in and looking noticeably drained in doing so, how he would perform in the cage against a very motivated Malott was a question.
Fugitt came out southpaw against the orthodox Malott, who made Fugitt wince and double over when he landed his first body kick. Adam recovered well, but Mike had an early advantage. The body kick would prove to be a weapon that was good not just once, either. Halfway through the round Malott got the body-lock and swung Fugitt down for a takedown. Malott spent only half a minute on top before Fugitt got up. In the last forty-five seconds, Malott landed another strong takedown and rode the round out.
The second round saw both men start by trading front kicks to the body. Malott then landed a massive left hand which dropped Fugitt badly. The Canadian immediately jumped on a guillotine, mounted his foe, and forced Fugitt to tap out.
Malott’s post-fight interview hyped up the Vancouver crowd beyond belief as he shouted, “This show is for us!” A star may have been born this night.
Mike Malott def. Adam Fugitt by Submission (Guillotine Choke) in Round 2 (1:06)
