UFC 297 Magny vs Malott Odds, Picks, and Predictions: Malott Shines in Ontario Homecoming

Neil Magny vs. Mike Malott is on the main card for UFC 297 betting tonight from the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.

Malott has steamrolled his first three opponents in the octagon, but this will be his first real test against Magny, who has been in the UFC for more than a decade and is the No. 13 ranked welterweight contender.

Oddsmakers still expect the Canadian-born Malott to get the job done at home, with UFC odds currently listing him as a -380 favorite. Here are my best free Magny vs. Malott picks and predictions for January 20. 

Magny vs Malott fight odds

Method of Victory	Neil Magny	Mike Malott
To win outright	+275	-380
To win by KO/TKO	+900	+325
To win by points	+550	+450
To win by submission	+2,250	+105
Draw	+2,500	+2,500

Odds courtesy of Bet99 on January 20, 2024.

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Magny vs Malott picks

Fight prediction: Malott ML

Magny is the sort of fighter that "jack-of-all-trades" and "master-of-none" aptly describes. He's well-rounded and highly technical but has been beaten badly by specialists, including his last time out versus Ian Garry. While he hasn't had a steep descent at 36 years old, it's clear that he is slowing down. 

If Magny possessed a more proficient finishing skill set, I might view him as a formidable underdog in this matchup. However, his only real path to victory is by wearing down and outpointing Malott over three rounds, and even if this fight goes the distance, he'll have a tough time grinding out the victory. 

Malott is a high-end grappler with elite submission skills and he's also a dangerous striker with explosive power in his mitts. Although he's a bit older than most guys who are considered UFC prospects, he has far less tread on his tires than Magny and remains in his physical prime. He's also been dominant so far in the UFC, with three of his first four wins in the octagon coming by first-round stoppage and the other ending by submission early in the second. 

That said, with the moneyline price on Malott moving from -225 to -360, the value is gone, and I wouldn't even bet Malott at this price even as part of a parlay. This is a big step up in competition for him and the bust potential is relatively high.

Look to Malott's method to win odds for better value.

Prediction: Malott moneyline (-360 at Bet99)

Fight best bet: Malott by submission

Magny might be able to pull off the upset if he uses his 7-inch reach advantage and stay on the outside but he often relies on clinch work. That would play right into the hands of Malott, who throws with power in inside exchanges and uses his pressure to close the gap for takedowns.

Malott has excellent grappling ability and hunts for submissions. Four of his last five wins have by way of submission while Magny has been submitted six times in his career — including twice over the last year and a half. Back Malott to win by submission at close to even money. 

Pick: Malott by submission (+110 at Bet99)

Magny vs Malott betting preview

Neil "The Haitian Sensation" Magny is coming off a lopsided decision loss to Ian Garry at UFC 292 in August. Despite being 36 years old, Magny is still an extremely active fighter who has entered the octagon eight times since 2021, going 4-4 during that span.

Magny is a crafty veteran with 31 fights in the UFC, and he's an ideal gatekeeper for this division. He has a well-rounded skillset, and while he can strike at range with his 80-inch reach, he's also very effective in the clinch. 

It's been a winding journey to the UFC for the 32-year-old Malott. He began his MMA career as a featherweight and moved up to 155 pounds, where he won the XFFC Lightweight Championship in 2017 before taking a break from competing in MMA. Although he took a hiatus from fighting, he leveled up his grappling by competing in BJJ tournaments and coaching at Team Alpha Male.

Malott made his comeback as a welterweight in 2020, submitting Solomon Renfro in the first round at Cage Fury Fighting Championships 91. That got him on Dana White's Contender Series, where he submitted Shimon Smotritsky in just 39 seconds to earn a UFC contract.

The quick stoppages didn't end there, with Malott knocking out Mickey Gall in the first round in his promotional debut and then picking up a first-round submission victory against Yohan Lainesse before submitting Adam Fugitt in the second round in his previous fight last June.

Magny vs Malott tale of the tape

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