The Great White North has long been a powerhouse for MMA talent. Legends like Georges St-Pierre, Patrick Côté, Rory MacDonald, and many others have left an indelible mark on the UFC, setting the stage for the next wave of Canadian standouts—among them, UFC welterweight Mike Malott. Following in the footsteps of his compatriots, ‘Proper’ has steadily made his presence felt under Dana White’s banner since debuting on DWCS in 2021.

Riding a two-fight winning streak with a 5-1 UFC record, Canadian contender Mike Malott is still striving to crack the promotion’s top 15 rankings. Tonight, he has the chance to turn that ambition into reality as he squares off against No. 15-ranked Kevin Holland at UFC Vancouver inside Rogers Arena. Success in the Octagon, however, doesn’t happen in isolation—Malott has leaned on the unwavering support of his wife and family throughout his journey.

 Who is Mike Malott’s wife, Jess?

Mike Malott began his MMA journey in 2011 with Extreme Cage Combat and later honed his skills on the regional circuit. His fiancée, Jess, has supported him throughout his career. Earlier this year, the couple celebrated their third anniversary together. They started dating around 2021, when ‘Proper’ entered the DWCS, and became engaged in March 2023, as shown in engagement photos shared online. Since then, Mike has often referred to Jess as “the Mrs“ or “wifey,” highlighted in his July Instagram post where he wrote, “Wedding season with the wifey.”

While the couple’s official marital status remains private, Mike Malott shared a photo with Jess just days before UFC Vancouver last month, showcasing the strength and growth of their relationship. His younger brother, Jeff Malott, an NHL player who shared much of his upbringing with him has also shaped Mike’s journey. Let’s explore the Malotts’ early life.

 Mike Malott’s Family and Early Life

Hailing from Ontario, Canada, athleticism runs deep in Mike Malott’s family. While many Canadian athletes pursue hockey, ‘Proper’ charted a different course, committing to MMA. His younger brother, Jeff Malott, took the more conventional route and recently made his NHL debut with the Los Angeles Kings. Mike, however, always had his sights on the Octagon.

Reflecting on his early days, he told UFC, “Going back, I must have sounded crazy to all my friends because I was like, ‘I’m going to be fighting in the UFC. I’m going to be a UFC champion one day.’ I was a skinny kid at a private prep school, with no experience. I trained at a local karate gym twice a week and I was kind of athletic.”

Fueled by inspiration from UFC veteran Urijah Faber, Mike Malott pursued MMA despite the limited resources in his hometown. “I trained at a karate gym. We did waist-up kickboxing and some jiu-jitsu that was more like judo-style jiu-jitsu, which, at the time, was amazing. I was 17 and I was like…” he recalled.

Defying the odds, Mike Malott has made a name for himself on the Canadian MMA scene. Now, on the verge of breaking into the UFC top 15, he prepares to take on seasoned veteran Kevin Holland in his 26th Octagon bout. Can ‘Proper’ continue his rise? Share your thoughts below.