It wasn’t that long ago that Malcolm Wellmaker was undefeated and on the fast track to contention.
Wellmaker’s first two UFC bouts — as well as his Contender Series debut — ended in the very first-round via thunderous knockouts. At UFC 322 back in November 2025, Wellmaker was supposed to face Serhiy Sidey and then Cody Haddon, but injuries scratched both Bantamweight matchups. As a result, he faced a short-notice replacement named Ethyn Ewing, who out-struck the knockout artist in one of the year’s
larger upsets.
Unfortunately, Wellmaker was unable to rebound last weekend (Sat., May 16, 2026) at UFC Vegas 117. Opposite recent Contender Series signee Juan Diaz, Wellmaker was again the betting favorite. After a competitive first round, however, Diaz was able to time a body lock takedown, force his way to the back, and submit Wellmaker in the second (watch here).
After the loss, Wellmaker posted a lengthy statement to his social media about his failed efforts to return to the win column.
“For the past 6 months I gave everything I had to try and get better,” Wellmaker wrote on Instagram. “I mean that literally. Before the stitches even came out my face I was already back in the gym. I tried to develop new tools instead of relying on my power, I studied so much film, I drove literally hundreds of hours back and forth to boxing training in Atlanta. I did privates grappling and worked from bad positions nonstop in the training room … and yesterday I still failed.
“I don’t care about the slander or even half the paycheck I go home with. It’s just such a horrible feeling to have so many people support you and believe in you … and to go out there and lose. I wanted to get us a win so damn bad. More than anybody could ever know. I gave it everything. And it wasn’t enough. My heart is broken and I hope to put pride and a smile back on yall faces in the near future. But until then, I have to pick up the pieces and find my way back. I love you all. Thank you for everything.“
Wellmaker is a heavy hitter with natural power. Often, we see fighters with major physical gifts struggle a bit when they try to focus more on the technical side of things. Wellmaker seemed to have trouble pulling the trigger at UFC Vegas 117, so he didn’t really get the chance to demonstrate any technical improvement.
Hopefully, his efforts will pay off next time out.
