# Jacob Malkoun

Jacob Malkoun (born August 26, 1995) is an Australian mixed martial artist who competes in the Middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

## Background

At the age of 16, Malkoun started training in martial arts after his father put him in a local boxing gym to shed some his 115 kg Rugby League Prop’s frame where he trains with former UFC Middleweight champion Robert Whittaker. Malkoun is an ADCC Asia 2019 Trials winner and a 2019 Pan Pacific Gold Medalist. He also has a 3-0 record as a Pro Boxer.

## Mixed martial arts career
### Early career

Debuting in 2017, Malkoun compiled a 4–0 record on the regional Australian scene, winning his debut against Cam Rowston at BRACE 47 via unanimous decision. He would go on to win his next two bouts by the way off TKO; against Ryan Heketa at Hex Fight Series 17 and Christophe Van Dijk at Wollongong Wars 7. In his last bout on the regional scene, he defeated Sebastian Temesi at Eternal MMA 48 via unanimous decision.

### Ultimate Fighting Championship

Malkoun made his UFC debut at UFC 254 on October 24, 2020 against Phil Hawes. Malkoun lost the fight via knockout 18 seconds into round one.
Malkoun faced Abdul Razak Alhassan on April 17, 2021, at UFC on ESPN 22. He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Malkoun faced AJ Dobson on February 12, 2022 at UFC 271. He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Malkoun faced Brendan Allen on June 11, 2022 at UFC 275. He lost the bout via unanimous decision.
Malkoun faced Nick Maximov on October 15, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 212. He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Malkoun is scheduled to face Aliaskhab Khizriev on September 23, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 228. However, Khizriev was pulled from the event for undisclosed reasons, and he was replaced by newcomer Robert Bryczek. Bryczek was then in turn replaced by Cody Brundage. Malkoun lost the fight via disqualification in the first round, rendering Brundage unable to continue after an illegal elbow to the back of Brundage's head.
Malkoun faced Andre Petroski on March 30, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 54. He won the fight via technical knockout in round two.
Malkoun was scheduled to face Rodolfo Vieira on February 15, 2025 at UFC Fight Night 251. However, Malkoun withdrew from the fight due to an undisclosed injury.

## Personal life

Malkoun's moniker "Mamba" is after the late NBA Lakers player Kobe Bryant.
Malkoun works as a Jiu Jitsu instructor at Gracie Jiu Jitsu Smeaton Grange in Sydney, Australia.

## Championships and accomplishments
### Grappling

* 2019: ADCC Asian & Oceanic Championship - 1st place in 99 kg class (Tokyo)

## Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown :
| 11 matches | 8 wins | 3 losses |
| By knockout | 3 | 1 |
| By decision | 5 | 1 |
| By disqualification | 0 | 1 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
| Win | 8–3 | Andre Petroski | TKO (soccer kick to the body) | UFC on ESPN: Blanchfield vs. Fiorot | March 30, 2024 | 2 | 0:39 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
| Loss | 7–3 | Cody Brundage | DQ (illegal elbow) | UFC Fight Night: Fiziev vs. Gamrot | September 23, 2023 | 1 | 4:15 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | An illegal elbow to the back of the head rendered Brundage unable to continue. |
| Win | 7–2 | Nick Maximov | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Grasso vs. Araújo | October 15, 2022 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 6–2 | Brendan Allen | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 275 | June 11, 2022 | 3 | 5:00 | Kallang, Singapore | |
| Win | 6–1 | A.J. Dobson | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 271 | February 12, 2022 | 3 | 5:00 | Houston, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 5–1 | Abdul Razak Alhassan | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on ESPN: Whittaker vs. Gastelum | April 17, 2021 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 4–1 | Phil Hawes | KO (punches) | UFC 254 | October 24, 2020 | 1 | 0:18 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | |
| Win | 4–0 | Sebastian Temesi | Decision (unanimous) | Eternal MMA 48 | October 4, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Melbourne, Australia | |
| Win | 3–0 | Christophe Van Dijk | TKO (punches) | Wollongong Wars 7 | July 12, 2019 | 3 | 3:31 | Wollongong, Australia | |
| Win | 2–0 | Ryan Heketa | TKO (punches) | Hex Fight Series 17 | October 26, 2018 | 1 | 1:32 | Sydney, Australia | |
| Win | 1–0 | Cam Rowston | Decision (unanimous) | BRACE 47 | March 18, 2017 | 3 | 5:00 | Sydney, Australia | Middleweight debut. |