Carlo's fight on Saturday against Malott was his first in almost two years.
Brandon Carlo wasn't expecting a fight when he walked into Crypto.com Arena on Saturday before the Toronto Maple Leafs' 3-1 win over the Los Angeles Kings.
However, after a scrum around Anthony Stolarz just over three minutes into the game, Carlo was all of a sudden dropping to gloves with Kings forward Jeff Malott, who was playing in just his second-career NHL game.
Carlo vs Malott pic.twitter.com/xwmpCjP8sZ
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) March 30, 2025
Carlo doesn't fight often. The last time he dropped the gloves was nearly two years to the day, on Mar. 30, 2023, against Columbus Blue Jackets captain Boone Jenner. The 28-year-old defenseman has eight fights in his career, including Saturday's in LA.
"It just happens fast. I was right there in front of the net. He asked if I wanted to go, so I said yes. Good on his part," Carlo said following Toronto's win over the Kings.
"I think it's good for me, too, to step up in those ways occasionally. I'm not much of a fighter, but I enjoy doing things for my team. So whatever is needed of me, I will."
Carlo, asked if he was aware that his opponent's brother is a UFC fighter?
— David Alter (@dalter) March 30, 2025
"Not at all, but knowing that information, I'm thankful I'm not knocked out right now. So that's good to know, and I'll definitely do a little bit more research next time." https://t.co/OJSBhsoV15
Little did he know that Malott, who hails from Burlington, Ontario, is the brother of UFC fighter, Mike Malott.
"Not at all, but knowing that information, I'm thankful I'm not knocked out right now," he smiled. "So that's good to know, and I'll definitely do a little bit more research next time."
After the fight, Carlo and Malott were seen smiling and chatting with each other in the penalty box. The Maple Leafs defenseman said it was a situation where the two players gained a mutual respect for one another.
"I think he's been just in a couple games. I think he appreciated that I went in. I appreciate the same thing from him. I have a lot of respect for guys that step up in that way, playing with them, going against them. So afterwards, just kind of saying good job and moving on from there."
Carlo has been a strong defender since joining the Maple Leafs at the trade deadline. Through 11 games, he's registered one assist while averaging 18:12 of ice time playing alongside Morgan Rielly.
