MMA DFS and Betting Breakdown: UFC Fight Night - Buckley vs. Malott

Created Oct 16, 2026

Last Updated 2026-10-16 01:35:53 Premium Content Part of the product MMA Premium

Koslow of the UFC

Liam Heslin (aka LiamPicksFights) is a massive combat sports fan with over a decade of experience competing in wrestling and grappling martial arts. For each UFC event, he produces the MMA DFS and sports betting breakdown for RotoGrinders. Read below for his in-depth analysis on UFC Fight Night – Buckley vs. Malott.

The combat sports leader is headed back to the great white north of Canada as the octagon touches down in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. At the top of the bill, Canada’s own “Proper” Mike Malott looks to continue his rise through the welterweight rankings as the highest-ranked Canadian male on the roster. He will be opposite one of the biggest stars in the welterweight division, former middleweight Joaquin “New Mansa” Buckley. The locals will have plenty of opportunities to get on the board with at least one Canadian in 12 out of 13 matchups on the bill. The red & white will be flying high and proud from the first fight of the night as Cody Chovancek looks to get the home town fighters a hot start out of the gates.

Editor’s Note: Analysis of remaining fights is coming soon!

Note: All DFS salaries listed are from DraftKings & all odds quoted are from FanDuel Sportsbook.

UFC Fight Night – Buckley vs. Malott: MMA DFS Picks & Betting Breakdown

Cody Chovancek ($8,500) vs. Soo Young You ($7,700)

Fight Odds: -140 Chovancek vs. +114 You
Weight Class: 135lb. (Bantamweight)

Cody Chovancek (UFC Debut) is finally making his promotional debut after earning a contract on DWCS in 2025. At 28, the Niagara Top Team product is rounding into his physical prime, but he is still gathering professional experience. “The Best Fisherman in MMA” largely dominated the notoriously weak Canadian regional scene. Now he is taking a step up in competition against a fighter who could test his wrestling and grappling chops (conceded 1 takedown and more than 1 minute of control on DWCS). I would describe Chovancek as a well-rounded fighter with functional striking, opportunistic grappling, and a weaponized pace.

Soo Young You (2-1 UFC) started off hot in the UFC by winning the Road to UFC Tournament (2024) and following that up with back-to-back wins on the main roster. You was able to defeat Long Xiao (1-3 UFC) and AJ Cunningham (0-2 UFC) in his first octagon appearances, but his game fell apart against the dynamic athleticism and superior physicality of Elijah Smith (3-0 UFC). The only fighters to defeat You in the last 12 years have a combined pro record of 38-3. You is likely the more technical wrestler and grappler of the pair, but if he is unable to secure a submission or bank extended time on Chovancek’s back, he is likely to struggle on the feet. You had some success in frenetic elbow exchanges with Long Xiao, but it was a high-risk approach and a close run out.

This feels like a coin flip where both men have reasons to be optimistic. You has higher-level experience, more time in the fight game, and proven takedown upside (23 takedowns in a 6-fight sample). As for Chovancek, he gets to fight at home in Canada, he presents a 2:0 knockdown ratio to You’s 0:1 ratio, and he should have the ability to rally late if he deals with some early adversity (see the Uchegbu fight). Both men have paths to victory, but my slight lean is toward the hometown fighter who seems to be more damaging, more durable, and more aggressive.

Prediction: You via SUB1/2/SDEC or Covanchek Rd. 2/3/DEC

Melissa Croden ($8,900) vs. Chelsea Chandler ($7,300)

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