Former champ Belal Muhammad open to fighting surging Mike Malott next: ‘Definitely makes sense’

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Oct 21, 2026, 3:59 AM UTC

Andrew Richardson is a professional fighter who trains at Team Alpha Male in Sacramento, Calif., providing MMAmania.com (and its readers) with expert technical fighter breakdowns, insight and analysis you can’t get anywhere else.

Welcome to Midnight Mania!

Let’s start the night off by taking a look back over the three biggest stories of Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026.

Belal Muhammad vs. Mike Malott in Toronto in January makes a lot of sense. Think it happens?

I find the phrasing odd, but it sounds like KI MMA is trying to employ their own unique set of rules? If it means grounded knees are allowed, why not!

Ali Abdelaziz standing up for his athlete Farid Basharat is a pleasant surprise.

Muhammad Mokaev requests professionalism from Dana and the UFC — good luck! I still want to hear the full story behind his release …

After 15 years and counting, there will be another Fight Night game.

Israel Adesanya having fun in sparring:

Buggy chokes are on the rise! I’d bet we see one in the UFC proper within the next 18 months.

Punches set up the choke:

Slightly delayed reaction and obvious agony — that’s a liver shot alright.

It’s so bad that I can’t look away.

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