Mike Malott realized classes from first UFC loss towards Neil Magny, post-fight blowback

EDMONTON, Alberta, Canada – Mike Malott was shocked by the top of his most up-to-date struggle in addition to the rapid aftermath, however he hopes he’s higher from it.

On the unsuitable aspect of a Comeback of the 12 months candidate, Malott (10-2-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC) misplaced by third-round TKO to Neil Magny in January. 9-and-a-half months later, Malott hopes to indicate off the teachings he’s realized Saturday when he takes on Trevin Giles (16-6 MMA, 7-6 UFC) at UFC Fight Night 246 at Rogers Place.

“You’ve simply bought to reassess and see what went unsuitable,” Malott instructed MMA Junkie and different reporters at a pre-fight information convention Wednesday. “I really feel such as you do the identical factor after a win, proper? See what you possibly can enhance on? However it’s how a lot do you need to dive into that. You possibly can write it off to being like, ‘Properly, I gained 14 minutes of that struggle and simply made a few unhealthy selections on the finish and a pair issues went unsuitable, so if I simply don’t do these, then I’ll be effective subsequent time and I beat that man 9 instances out of 10. Or we will do what we did.

“It’s like, look, it’s in all probability the symptom of a a lot bigger drawback that we didn’t acknowledge as a lot. How will we dive into that and determine the place we will get essentially the most development? That’s what we did. So the final 9 (or) 10 months, I’ve been centered on enchancment and development and getting again in right here to be essentially the most assured model of myself, essentially the most ready for the struggle that I can probably be.”

The loss was one factor. The blowback afterward was one other totally.

Given Malott was a sizzling prospect pedestaled as the subsequent torch bearer for Canadian MMA, opportunists emerged out of the digital woodwork to kick him whereas he was down.

“I’ll be trustworthy. It was stunning at first,” Malott mentioned. “I assumed there can be some adverse criticism. However man, I used to be blown away by how many individuals have been ready for me to fall. But additionally on the alternative aspect, too, we will concentrate on that each one day. There’s a ton of negativity you possibly can concentrate on, however there’s additionally a ton of positivity. A ton of individuals messaged me and have been like, ‘Look, man. You clearly confirmed some nice stuff in that struggle. You have been profitable the vast majority of that struggle.’ It’s not like I bought steamrolled for quarter-hour and should rethink my whole recreation.

“Once more, I believe I win that struggle most instances. If we run that struggle again nonetheless many instances, I believe I win the overwhelming majority of these fights. I believe I confirmed some strong expertise in that struggle, however I additionally confirmed some issues that have to be improved. We simply centered on what must be improved the final eight or 9 months or no matter. Once more at first, it was a little bit bit stunning. It bought to me for the primary week or two. I used to be actually down on myself about it a little bit bit. However as soon as I used to be capable of get again within the fitness center and really make or take steps towards making enhancements and resolving points, that form of took care of itself.”

Now Malott has a shot at redemption. The circumstances are comparable in some methods, as he has the chance to show himself in his house nation towards a veteran fighter.

“It could’ve been good to struggle in July (in Denver as was scheduled), the struggle that I ready for,” Malott mentioned, referring to his canceled bout vs. Gilbert Urbina. “However I’d a lot quite pull out of a struggle in Denver than a struggle in Edmonton. I’m excited to get again in entrance of these Canadian followers.”

For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC Fight Night 246.