Malcolm Wellmaker has already made fairly a reputation for himself within the UFC with three blistering knockouts to start out his profession with the promotion, together with a surprising first-round end over Kris Moutinho in his most up-to-date outing in June.
The undefeated prospect demolished Moutinho inside three minutes to enhance his general file to 10-0 however that win additionally received him quite a lot of consideration he didn’t essentially anticipate. Again in 2021, Moutinho grew to become a little bit of fan favourite following a gutsy efficiency in opposition to Sean O’Malley the place he displayed unbelievable toughness and an almost impenetrable chin.
O’Malley in the end completed the combat with a standing TKO within the third spherical however watching Wellmaker faceplant the identical opponent already had some followers asking for that matchup in opposition to the previous UFC bantamweight champion.
“To see the names that persons are already evaluating me to,” Wellmaker mentioned concerning the potential O’Malley combat. “Individuals are asking my opinion on Merab [Dvalishvili] and it’s extremely flattering. I really like how a lot I’ve impressed individuals with the performances that I’ve given.
“I feel one of many issues that makes combating so enjoyable, whenever you go on the market and also you give individuals what they need, matchups like these turn out to be an actual factor that folks would like to see, that folks would like to tune into. I don’t know that I’ve earned a shot at anyone with such a reputation however it’s nonetheless an enormous praise.”
As unlikely as evidently he’ll really land O’Malley as an opponent, Wellmaker understands why followers are concerned about seeing that combat occur.
With the frequent opponent between them and Wellmaker turning into one of many quickest rising stars on the whole UFC roster, he appreciates that O’Malley is already on his radar.
“[Kris Moutinho] gained his notoriety from Sean O’Malley, one of many largest names and probably the greatest knockout artists that the bantamweight division has seen,” Wellmaker mentioned. “So it was solely pure that my efficiency be in comparison with his.
“So to go on the market and do it in two and a half minutes, 25 strikes versus over 200 [strikes for O’Malley], it’s a feather within the cap and it’s a praise I gladly settle for.”
Wellmaker acknowledges he nonetheless has work to do relating to moving into the rankings and dealing his approach up the ladder in opposition to the elite fighters within the bantamweight division.
That mentioned, he couldn’t have imagined a greater begin to his UFC profession with three first spherical knockouts in a row (together with his victory on The Contender Sequence). These sorts of performances usually are not solely making Wellmaker common amongst followers however he expects that also needs to lead to larger and higher alternatives.
“I feel the course of my final three fights is ideal,” Wellmaker mentioned. “I knock out Adam Bramhald, who isn’t essentially a recognized man. I get Cameron Saaiman, who’s revered and gifted and at one of many highest degree camps on the planet. Knock him out. Then it’s like give him Kris Moutinho and see if he can knock him out. I’m going on the market and everyone has time seeing it. I feel individuals need to see me combat these family names now.”
Not a lot for callouts, Wellmaker isn’t essentially pointing his finger at anybody specific opponent however he plans to remain as busy because the UFC will maintain him.
Greater than something, Wellmaker is grateful that he really has time to consider that now after he stop his full time job as a welder and pipefitter to completely give attention to combating.
That call got here after Wellmaker’s UFC debut earned him a $50,000 bonus, though he admits there have been some individuals skeptical about that call. It positively paid off, nonetheless, as a result of Wellmaker scored one other $50,000 bonus for his newest win as properly.
“There was quite a lot of questions on whether or not it was too early for me to make such a call,” Wellmaker mentioned about quitting his job. “Even earlier than the combat, the media was following up with a few of these questions on what it seems like and what’s the trail transferring ahead.
“My reply was that I used to be betting on myself. It paid off. It actually did.”
