At this level final yr, Malcolm Wellmaker had but to make his debut on MMA’s grandest stage. He’d have to attend round just a few extra months for a shot at a UFC promotional contract by means of season eight of Contender Sequence.
Final August, Wellmaker, nicknamed “The Machine” impressed UFC CEO Dana White by ending off Adam Bramhald (13-3 MMA) with a first-round knockout on the Tuesday evening MMA collection. On the finish of that night’s program, White was interviewed backstage by Laura Sanko, throughout which period Malcolm Wellmaker secured his UFC deal.
Six months afterward, Wellmaker took to the well-known Octagon for the primary time beneath the UFC promotional banner through the UFC Kansas Metropolis undercard. That spring night, he made brief work of Cameron Saaiman (9-3 MMA, 3-3 UFC), stopping him contained in the opening two minutes of the competition.
Malcolm Wellmaker Requests UFC Atlanta Struggle, Scores Massive Win in Second Promotional Struggle
Following the combat, Malcolm Wellmaker used his post-fight interview to advocate for a spot on the UFC Atlanta occasion from State Farm Enviornment on the evening of June 15.
“Hey, UFC, Dana White, I don’t know who I’ve bought to speak to, however in June, y’all [are] coming to Atlanta,” Malcolm Wellmaker stated to Paul Felder on the printed that evening. “That’s two hours from my home! Let’s make it occur!”
Because the outdated adage goes, “Ask and ye shall obtain.” On Saturday evening, Malcolm Wellmaker’s want was granted, because the native of close by Augusta, the host metropolis of golf’s Masters Match, made the stroll for crucial “residence recreation” of his younger MMA profession.
Over the weekend, he drew the task of returning competitor Kris Moutinho (14-7 MMA, 0-3 UFC) for the latter’s first combat in his second stint within the UFC. Moutinho was beforehand reduce from the promotion in 2022. In brief, Malcolm Wellmaker made his fellow Georgians ecstatic on Saturday evening.
“The Machine” Scores Knockout in Opening Spherical
Within the first spherical of a scheduled three on the ESPN+ undercard of UFC Atlanta, Malcolm Wellmaker stalked his opponent and peppered him with a kick to the leg earlier than uncorking a vicious proper hook to knock Moutinho down and out.
“Malcolm Wellmaker does it once more, this time in Georgia,” exclaimed Brendan Fitzgerald, who was working Saturday evening’s UFC Atlanta broadcast. This weekend’s end by Wellmaker was his third stoppage contained in the opening spherical of a contest courting again to his contract-winning look on Contender Sequence late final summer season.
His checking account is heavier going into the brand new work week. Throughout Saturday evening’s UFC Atlanta post-fight press convention, Dana White awarded Wellmaker his second post-fight bonus since becoming a member of the UFC’s lively roster by means of Contender Sequence final summer season to the tune of $50,000 (USD) for the Efficiency of the Evening Award.
Malcolm Wellmaker Meets with Media Following Sophomore Win in UFC
Malcolm Wellmaker’s UFC debut in April additionally resulted in a $50,000 bonus following the combat, subsequently resigning from his publish as a welder just a few days afterward. Within the rapid aftermath of Saturday evening’s victory, Wellmaker talked with the assembled press backstage at State Farm Enviornment about his end on the prelims.
“I’ve absolute perception,” Malcolm Wellmaker started, “not simply in my energy, however in my precision and my timing and my means to seek out that shot and set it up on anyone keen to play that recreation with me. Kris was keen to play that recreation with me.”
After an eight-month hiatus between fights upon scoring his UFC contract, Wellmaker has now gained twice in beneath 60 days’ time. “The Machine” is hopeful to maintain up his frenetic tempo because the second half of 2025 looms.
“As lively as I may be with the matchups that make sense,” Wellmaker informed the media on Saturday evening, I’m completely keen to get in there and hold doing what I’m doing. I’m wholesome, the fights are going my approach, I’m not taking a lot injury, and I’m on a roll.”
Last Ideas
On at the present time final yr, Malcolm Wellmaker was a few months away from touching down in Enterprise, NV for his bout towards Adam Bramhald on Contender Sequence. A yr later, he’s scored two fast finishes within the UFC.
“The Machine” has been working completely to this point within the sport of MMA with a 10-0 document and an 80 % end price popping out of this previous weekend’s UFC Atlanta. For Wellmaker, as long as he stays wholesome and stays hungry, the sky is the restrict.
Irrespective of who his subsequent opponent is, Wellmaker’s third look within the UFC goes to be a combat you gained’t need to miss.
