Mike Malott

Michael "Mike" Malott, known to fans as "Proper," is a Canadian mixed martial artist who competes in the welterweight division of the UFC.

Malott was born in Cleveland, Ohio, but was raised in Burlington, Ontario, and he began training in martial arts as a teenager at House of Champions in nearby Stoney Creek under Kru Alin Halmagean. While earning a bachelor's degree in commerce at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, he continued developing his striking and grappling and turned professional in 2011.

Malott holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, a rank he pursued in earnest during an extended break from competition, during which he tested himself in numerous grappling super fights. His striking pedigree traces back to his original instructor, a Muay Thai kru, and he later spent time in California sharpening his striking at Team Alpha Male in Sacramento, where he also worked as a coach.

That dual foundation shows in the cage: Malott is a well-rounded threat who can hunt for submissions on the mat or let his hands go on the feet, making him equally comfortable finishing a fight standing or on the ground.

Before reaching the UFC, Malott built his résumé on the Canadian and North American regional circuit, capturing a lightweight title with a first-round knockout during his run through smaller promotions. He punched his ticket to the big show on Dana White's Contender Series, submitting Shimon Smotritsky to earn his contract, and he went on to represent Canada on some of the promotion's biggest cards.

Proud of his Ontario and Nova Scotia roots, Malott has become one of the more recognizable Canadian names in the welterweight division, carrying the "Proper" moniker as a badge of the disciplined, all-around game he built from the ground up.

Stats last updated: August 09, 2026