Mike Malott praised by UFC Hall of Famer before UFC Winnipeg: “I don’t know if a lot of people know his backstory”

Mike Malott prepares to take on former UFC welterweight title challenger Gilbert Burns in a Manitoba-based matchup, with a previous training partner of the former has weighed in on the big clash at 170 pounds.

Speaking ahead of a recent contest he participated in under the Real American Freestyle banner, Clay Guida covered several aspects of his vast career. For ‘The Carpenter’ that included a stint working with Team Alpha Male and past instances that saw him shout out teammate Mike Malott.

When asked for his thoughts on the Mike Malott versus Gilbert Burns fight that tops the marquee of UFC Winnipeg on April 18th, Guida said [via Bowks Talking Bouts],

“Yeah, that’s gonna be a great one. Mikey, ‘Proper’ Mike Malott, man. One of my favorites. I don’t know how that guy; I don’t know if a lot of people know his backstory. He’s a 170-pounder now. He fought at ’55 for a while. The dude used to fight 145 for a little bit, too. He’s an absolute giant. When I met him at the gym at Team Alpha Male, I was like, “Urijah [Faber], is this guy like one of the only 185 pounders, the only middleweight you guys got?” He’s like, “Guida, that dude fights at lightweight.””

“I’m like, “Oh, boy.” I’m like, “I might have to go down to 135 [laughs].” He just destroys guys, man, in the gym. He’s so technical. He’s a great trainer, a great training partner. He teaches classes while he’s there. Just breaks everything down so very well. Just very well spoken, great leader. It’s just awesome to see him because there was a time before he was in the UFC, he almost hung up the gloves for mixed martial arts. There was a time because he was banged up.”

“He was having a hard time making 155. I told him and I’m sure other people did too, man, enough of the cutting weight. Go explore 170, you’re huge. Put some weight [on], continue to put weight on. Stay strong. Focus more on your skills instead of the weight cut all the time and the negative parts of the sport. Do what motivates you. Do what you like. Have fun at this. He won one fight, maybe two, at that CFFC out in Philly. He knocked the dude out and I think a couple months later he was in the UFC.”

“He went on maybe a three to five fight win streak. He dropped one and now he’s on a win streak again. What’s his record now in the UFC? Is he five or six and one or maybe six and two or something?… He’s been doing great and he’s got a newfound motivation in the UFC. It’s great to see that. I’m glad that him and Gilbert Burns, another friend of mine, are going to clash.”

Mike Malott is in “a matchup that everyone needs to check out” at UFC Winnipeg, per Guida

Mike Malott will also become the first Canadian combatant since June 2020, to headline a UFC event with Felicia Spencer’s title bid at UFC 250 being the last instance of this taking place. Responding to that historically significant factoid within the great fight north, Guida stated [via Bowks Talking Bouts],

“Yeah, it’s pretty amazing, man. So, very well deserved for both of those guys. It’s cool to see Gilbert Burns, another guy that just continues to fight the top guys. He’s always right there, in my eyes. Gilbert’s one or two wins away from being right back in the top five. Always in title contention, always entertaining, the fighter spirit, and the guy just leaves it all out there every time. So that’s going to be a matchup that everyone needs to check out.”