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.

Malkoun faced Torrez Finney on February 1, 2026, at UFC 325. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Malkoun faced Gerald Meerschaert on May 2, 2026, at UFC Fight Night 275. At the weigh-ins, Meerschaert weighed in at 190 pounds, 4 pounds over the middleweight non-title fight limit. The bout proceeded at catchweight and Meerschaert was fined 30 percent of his purse, which went to Malkoun. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

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.