Latest news with #MikeMalott
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
MMA Junkie's Knockout of the Month for May: Barriault puts Silva on a stretcher
With another action-packed month of MMA in the books, MMA Junkie looks at the best knockouts from May 2025: Here are the five nominees, listed in chronological order, and winner of MMA Junkie's Knockout of the Month award for May. At the bottom of the post, let us know if we got it right by voting for your choice. Nominee: Aleksandr Maslov def. Yuriy Fedorov at ACA 186 After facing some early adversity in their heavyweight bout, Alexandr Maslov got the last laugh against Yuriy Fedorov. Advertisement In a heated exchange early in the second round, Maslov (12-1) threw a multi-punch combination at Fedorov (10-7), one of which was a right hook that landed clean to the chin and immediately send him folded to the canvas unconscious. Nominee: Connor Hughes def. Sebastien Di Franco at 2025 PFL Europe 1 The devastating knockout power of Connor Hughes was felt by Sebastien Di Franco when the pair met in a lightweight showdown. At roughly the midway point of the fight, Hughes (11-2) took advantage of poor movement from Di Franco (10-4) with a clean punch that instantly knocked him out. No follow-up shots were needed with Di Franco's lifeless body falling and smacking his head off the canvas. Nominee: Mike Malott def. Charles Radtke at UFC 315 Mike Malott gave the Canadian crowd plenty to cheer about – especially after Charles Radtke talked trash on the country prior to their welterweight bout. Advertisement A "Proper" left hook from Malott (12-2-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC) spelled the beginning of the end for Radtke (10-5 MMA, 3-2 UFC). Malott found the chin early in Round 2 with the cracking shot, leading to the finish seconds later after hard, accurate follow-up punches. Nominee: Jared Gordon def. Thiago Moises at UFC Fight Night 256 Jared Gordon scored the biggest highlight reel win of his octagon tenure so far when he knocked Thiago Moises out cold. After getting a takedown early in the lightweight bout, the action returned to its feet where Gordon (21-7 MMA, 9-6 UFC) landed a brutal right hand that floored Moises (19-9 MMA, 8-7 UFC). He followed up with a few shots on the ground to seal the deal. Nominee: Dustin Jacoby def. Bruno Lopes at UFC on ESPN 68 Dustin Jacoby prioritized violence over technique, and it paid off against Bruno Lopes. Advertisement Jacoby (21-9-1 MMA, 9-6-1 UFC) knocked out Bruno Lopes (14-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC) with a swarming attack for a stoppage just minutes into the opening round of the light heavyweight bout. The winner: Marc-Andre Barriault def. Bruno Silva at UFC 315 Marc-Andre Barriault finished Bruno Silva in scary fashion at UFC 315. Barriault (17-9 MMA, 6-8 UFC) unleashed an array of elbows in the clinch to knock out Silva (23-13 MMA, 4-7 UFC) at the 1:27 mark of Round 1 in their middleweight bout. Silva was rendered unconscious after being finished by an emotional Barriault and had to be stretchered out. With the win, Canada's Barriault snapped a three-fight losing skid. Meanwhile, Silva has now lost five in a row, and seven of his past eight fights. Cast Your Vote! This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Knockout of the Month, May 2025: Barriault puts Silva on a stretcher
Globe and Mail
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Globe and Mail
U.S.-Canadian political tensions play out at UFC's Malott-Radtke fight in Montreal
The air smelled of belligerence, beer and body odour when Ontario-born Mike Malott knocked down the American Charles Radtke with a sharp left hook in front of 20,000 roaring UFC fans at Montreal's Centre Bell arena Saturday night. The fight was early in the UFC 315 pay-per-view event card, but it was one of the most anticipated: an American versus a Canadian on home soil, in the wake of mounting political tensions between the two countries. This wasn't the first time U.S.-Canadian politics played out in the sports world since President Donald Trump's talks of a 51st state. In February, the 4 Nations Face-Off hockey championship game between Canada and the U.S. saw three fist fights within the first nine seconds – and the U.S. national anthem was booed. So the stakes were high for the first UFC event in Canada since Mr. Trump's re-election. And the Quebec setting felt even more significant: The province voted largely Liberal in the federal election, a sign that voters may be more concerned about facing down Mr. Trump than about independence interests. At the prefight news conference, Mr. Radtke made it known he would make Canada 'pay' for booing The Star-Spangled Banner. But by the second round, the American was grounded and being pummelled by Mr. Malott to the riotous approval of the crowd. Minutes after his win, with a Canadian flag wrapped around him, Mr. Malott addressed the arena, 'When it comes to defending this country, know one thing Canada: I stand on guard for thee.' Just outside the caged Octagon, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre – joined by his wife and a host of security guards – was waiting to congratulate the fighter. In his postfight news conference, Mr. Malott told reporters he 'didn't mean to take a firm political stand' by greeting Mr. Poilievre, but 'I appreciate people who are trying to make our country a better place.' Political undertones aren't a new thing in the UFC, one of the biggest mixed martial arts organizations in the world, worth about US$11-billion. In the 2000s, Mr. Trump gave the UFC an early push by allowing fights at the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City when other venues shut out the sport, which at the time was called 'human cockfighting' by Senator John McCain. These days, the President is regularly seen cageside, often next to UFC CEO Dana White, and treated as a prized fighter by the crowd. Mr. White, in turn, has publicly endorsed Mr. Trump, and spoken at the 2016, 2020 and 2024 National Republican Conventions. Similarly, podcaster Joe Rogan, a regular UFC Fight Night broadcaster, endorsed Mr. Trump just one day before the 2024 U.S. election. While Mr. Rogan didn't turn up in Montreal Saturday night – saying on his podcast that he'd 'rather go to Russia' than come to Canada – thousands of Canadian fans were there to celebrate the UFC's first return to the city in a decade. And with six Canadian fighters on a 12-fight card, there was an abundance of patriotic energy to go around. Not all attendees are bothered by Mr. Trump's close ties with the UFC, even if they were here to see the Canadian fighters dominate the night. For these die-hard MMA fans, the love of the fight transcends politics. 'It sucks that it's getting more political,' said Emille Cooren, who wore a Canadian flag as a cape as he headed towards the arena. But for him and friends Felix Burt and Henry Large, the fighting is just too good to let politics get in the way. 'Look at the NHL, they have Trump supporters there too,' said Mr. Burt, adding that the UFC gets disproportionate scrutiny. Do he and his friends take the idea of the 51st state seriously? Not at all. To them, it's no different than the trash talk between fighters. 'It's just characters,' said Mr. Burt, comparing politicians and UFC fighters. Trash talk is a tenet of fighting sports in general, and the UFC is home to some huge characters. Irish fighter turned political candidate Conor McGregor – who in 2024 was found liable for sexual assault and this year was accused of sexual battery – catapulted the organization into the mainstream with his brazen aggression. Other fighters have found cheekier ways to make a name for themselves. In March, Brazilian fighter Jean Silva brought out a globe at a news conference ahead of his fight against American opponent Bryce Mitchell, a known flat-earther. In the stands at Bell Centre, loud, bold personalities loomed large: Guttural screams, men flexing their biceps for selfies, and both men and women wolf-whistling the Octagon Girls who signalled the start of each round. When a fight lulled, calls for more brutality echoed across the arena. UFC pay-per-view events, which typically occur monthly with a championship belt on the line, can last eight hours as the Octagon canvas get bloodier with each round. The main fight of the night saw Palestinian Belal Muhammad lose his welterweight belt to Australian Jack Della Maddalena, but it was arguably the Canadian fighters who stole the show. Quebec's Georges St-Pierre, considered one of the best UFC fighters in history and now retired, helped coach Montreal's Aiemann Zahabi to victory. Flyweight Jasmine Jasudavicius won by submitting Brazilian fighter Jéssica Andrade in the first round. And Mr. Malott's win sent the crowd into a frenzy that spilled out onto the streets after the fight. Elsewhere in the arena, Gail Bouchard drew stares wherever he walked: His entire upper body was chalked in the Quebec Fleurdelisé flag. To him, the night was a historic moment for Quebec – a chance for the province to show its fighting potential. Still, the political leanings of the UFC bothered Mr. Bouchard a bit, particularly since it took away from the beauty of the sport. 'I'm a simple guy,' he said. 'I love MMA, I love my country.'
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
U.S. Welterweight Bashes Canada, Then Guess What Happens vs. Canadian In UFC Bout
U.S. welterweight Charles Radtke talked smack about Canada, then got smacked silly by Canadian Mike Malott in their UFC bout in Montreal on Saturday. (Watch the videos below.) Malott (12-2-1) floored Radtke (10-5) with a left hook in the second round and rained punches on the American as he lay on his back before the referee stopped the bout. MIKE MALOTT GETS IT DONE IN ROUND 2 🇨🇦 # — ESPN MMA (@espnmma) May 11, 2025 With tensions between the U.S. and Canada at perhaps an all-time high due to President Donald Trump's tariffs and talk of annexing Canada, Radtke ratcheted up the adversarial hype during a prefight press conference. He referenced Canadian hockey fans who booed the 'Star-Spangled Banner' before the Americans played in the same arena during the 4 Nations Face-Off in February. 'I don't give a shit about hockey,' Radtke said. 'That's not my gig. But what I do hold dear is I grew up on a bison ranch with my grandfather, who's a sergeant major in the Marine Corps, and when you all booed the national anthem, somebody's going to have to pay for that.' "When y'all boo the [U.S.] national anthem, someone's going to have to pay for that."Charles Radtke doesn't plan to hold back against Canadian Mike Malott at UFC — OutKick (@Outkick) May 9, 2025 The American also refused to shake Malott's hand at one point. Huge ovation for Canada's own Mike Malott after Charles Radtke refuses to shake his hand 🇨🇦 # — Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 9, 2025 But the victor took the high road when boos erupted for his opponent in the post-fight interview. (Fans repeatedly chanted 'fuck you, Radtke' during the bout.) 'Hey, no, don't boo him,' Malott said. 'We're celebrating now. That's done. We're cheering. This is our time. No negativity, just positivity, baby. And when it comes to defending this country in the octagon, know one thing, Canada: I stand on guard for thee.' Malott's tailoring of a line from 'O Canada' was a knockout. Boxer Dry Humps Opponent On Tyson-Paul Undercard. Fans Aghast. Mike Tyson's Naked Butt Makes Surprising Pre-Fight Appearance Jake Paul Wins Decision Over Mike Tyson
USA Today
12-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Mike Malott kept emotions in check all week vs. Charles Radtke at UFC 315, and it paid off
Mike Malott kept emotions in check all week vs. Charles Radtke at UFC 315, and it paid off Show Caption Hide Caption Mike Malott emotional after KO of Charles Radtke iat UFC 315 UFC 315 winner Mike Malott spoke to MMA Junkie and reporters post-fight after his second-round knockout of Charles Radtke in Montreal. MONTREAL – Mike Malott met the media Saturday after his first-round brutal knockout win over Charles Radtke at UFC 315. Malott (12-2-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC) endured some ridiculous pre-fight trash talk from Radtke (10-5 MMA, 3-2 UFC) and pledged to defend the honor of his home country of Canada against the American. That, he did, and with authority when he viciously knocked him out early in the second round – with a handful of extras for good measure. "Some people maybe need that heated intensity to come out and feel like a cornered animal and need to do that to perform," Malott said at his post-fight news conference. "I don't think that's me. If it comes down to something like that, if something getrs emotional, all right. But I felt just staying focused and calculated on the task at hand was the way to do it. I felt pretty genuine all week. Everything could have gotten to me or anyone. You can let stuff get to you. But I'm the one in control here. This guy's not in control of my emotions. This guy's not in control of what I'm going to think about or what I'm going to focus on." It paid off in a big way. Malott said he had a sense of calmness on fight day, and it even carried over post-fight. Check out Malott's post-fight news conference in the video above.
Associated Press
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Zahabi sends UFC Hall of Famer Jose Aldo into retirement with a defeat at UFC 315
MONTREAL (AP) — Aiemann Zahabi shocked UFC Hall of Famer Jose Aldo in a featherweight main card fight at UFC 315 on Saturday night, after which Aldo announced his retirement. Zahabi (13-2) won by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) and the Canadian has now won six straight fights. The fight was originally scheduled to be disputed at the bantamweight division, but was changed to featherweight on Friday after both fighters checked in above the weight limit. Aldo (32-10), of Brazil, announced his retirement from MMA fighting after a 21-year career. The card is headlined by welterweight title bout pitting Belal Muhammad and Jack Della Maddalena and a women's flyweight title matchup between Valentina Shevchenko and Manon Fiorot. Saturday's card was the first in Canada since Donald Trump was re-elected U.S. president in November. It comes amid growing political tensions between Canada and the United States, as Trump has repeatedly suggested that Canada should become the 51st U.S. state, and some of that tension spilled over. Canadian Mike Malott (12-2-1) won his fight with American Charles Radtke (10-5) by knockout 26 seconds into the second round of their welterweight bout. Malott took down Radtke with a clean left hook and would not let up, striking his opponent with repeated followup blows to seal the knockout. Radtke was met with jeers and curses from fans throughout the fight in response to comments he made to Canadian fans at a pre-fight news conference on Wednesday and the booing of 'The Star-Spangled Banner' at Canadian sporting events in recent months. Radtke said 'when you all boo the national anthem, somebody's gonna have to pay for that.' In the women's flyweight division, Canadian Jasmine Jasudavicius (14-3) took down Brazilian Jessia Andrade (26-14) by submission just over halfway through the first round. 'When I was preparing for this fight, I kept on thinking about it being a quick finish,' said Jasudavicius. 'I kept on telling myself to be ready for 15 hard minutes and everything.' Marc-Andre Barriault (17-9) also knocked out opponent Bruno Silva (23-13) 1:27 into the opening round of their middleweight bout with an elbow struck to the side of Silva's head. Silva left the octagon on a stretcher. Benoit Saint Denis (14-3) beat Kyle Prepolec (12-8) by submission in the opening main card fight. The Frenchman took down the Canadian with an arm-triangle choke midway through the second round. Prepolec only found out less than two weeks ago he would be fighting in Montreal. The 35-year-old was called in to replace Joel Alvarez, who has a hand injury. ___ AP sports:
