Mike Malott will have to wait for his chance to rebound from his first UFC loss.
MMA Fighting confirmed with sources with knowledge of the change that Malott’s upcoming fight with Gilbert Urbina has been cancelled. The welterweight bout was to take place at UFC Denver on July 13.
Sportsnet was first to report the news.
Sources told MMA fighting that the withdrawal is on Urbina’s side, though it is not known why the fighter has been pulled from the bout. Malott will not face a new opponent at UFC Denver and is instead expected to be re-booked for later this year.
Malott (10-2-1) has emerged as one of the most promising fighters to come out of Canada in years after earning a UFC contract on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2021. He began his UFC career with three straight wins, all finishes, before facing Neil Magny at UFC 297 this past June. The 32-year-old was ahead on the scorecards through two rounds, but the more experienced Magny outlasted Malott and finished him late in the third round.
It was Malott’s first loss since October 2014.
Mike Heck contributed to this report.
