Mike Malott’s UFC debut is not one he’s likely to forget.
After he punched his ticket to the promotion with a win on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2021, Canada’s Malott (8-1-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) made a dream he said was 15 years in the making come true when he took out Mickey Gall (7-5 MMA, 6-5 UFC) with a first-round TKO on the UFC 273 preliminary card at Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla.
And while Malott didn’t get a post-fight bonus for the win, which was one of only three stoppages in 12 fights on the card, he made financial waves in a much more significant way than one that would affect his own pocketbook.
After his win, Malott used his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan to put a spotlight on Team Alpha Male coach Joey Rodriguez’s daughter, who recently was diagnosed with Stage 3 lymphoma.
Malott said he was going to donate his show money – expected to be $10,000, the standard contract for a UFC debut – to a GoFundMe that has been set up for Angie Rodriguez. But on his way backstage after his win, he got a big surprise.
Malott posted Sunday on Instagram that fans in the stands started handing him money to put toward Angie’s treatment. He left the arena with an envelope of cash from fans who wanted to help the cause.
And if that wasn’t enough of a spirit booster, UFC president Dana White said he was going to take care of the donation Malott had promised to give so Malott wouldn’t lose his show money.
Malott said Sunday he appreciates all the extra support, including from White – and he still will make that donation out of his own pocket that he pledged in the cage. Boxer Jake Paul said he would match Malott’s donation, as well.
“There are so many things to talk about from last night — it was an incredible night for me!
The first thing I wanted to address was the generosity of people willing to donate money to help @joey_rodriguez916, his daughter Angie and his family. Firstly, after announcing I’d be donating my show money from last nights fight @danawhite said he’d make the donation instead to let me keep my money! I will still make a donation, but a huge thank you to Dana for doing that — that was amazing!
Secondly, to the fans who handed me money from their pockets without hesitation as I walked from the cage you absolutely blew me away with generosity!
Thirdly, to the almost 900 (and still counting) fans who donated to Angie’s fight you’ll make a massive difference for an amazing family.
Fourthly, to @jakepaul for matching the 10k donation with his foundation @boxingbullies. Truly generous.
Thank you to everyone for helping and donating. Faith in humanity restored.
#fuckcancer”
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