Shake up! Malcolm Wellmaker loses second opponent two days out of UFC 322, will now fight octagon newcomer

UFC 322 has a new fight — and it might be even more chaotic than the original.

Australian prospect Cody Haddon has been forced out of his Bantamweight showdown with rising knockout machine Malcolm Wellmaker

after suffering an injury just days before fight night (Sat., Nov. 15, 2025) inside Madison Square Garden in New York City.

But the UFC didn’t waste time finding a replacement. In a press release today, the promotion confirmed that Wellmaker will now face UFC newcomer Ethyn Ewing, who is stepping in on two days’ notice — and just so happens to be a knockout artist himself.

Wellmaker (10-0) has enjoyed a phenomenal rookie campaign, fighting twice already and might already be the front-runner for UFC “Rookie of the Year.” The 31-year-old “Machine” made a statement in his debut at UFC Kansas City, flattening Cameron Saaiman in less than two minutes to earn a $50,000 “Performance of the Night” bonus (watch highlights). He followed that up with another highlight-reel finish in his home state of Georgia, crushing a returning Kris Moutinho in less than three minutes (watch highlights).

Ewing (8-2) is coming in hot. He literally fought last weekend, knocking out Billy Brand in the main event of Urijah Faber’s A1 Combat to claim the interim Bantamweight title. In a strange twist, Brand is the same opponent Haddon defeated to earn his UFC contract.

Riding an eight-fight win streak and boasting an 88% finish rate with seven knockouts, Ewing brings real danger — even on short notice.

So yes, UFC 322 may have lost a fun prospect matchup… but it gained a violent firefight for as long as it lasts.

LIVE! Stream UFC 322 On ESPN+

WELTERWEIGHT SUPER FIGHT! Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) returns to Madison Square Garden in New York, N.Y., on Sat., Nov. 15, 2025, with a stacked ESPN+-streamed UFC 322 fight card. In UFC 322’s main event, dominant Russian Lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev, aims for historic “double-champ” status by challenging Australian knockout specialist and reigning Welterweight kingpin, Jack Della Maddalena, in an explosive title bout that could redefine the 170-pound division. In UFC 322’s co-headliner, women’s Flyweight queenpin, Valentina “Bullet” Shevchenko, defends her throne against Strawweight powerhouse, Zhang Weili, who’s also moving up for a shot at two-division glory in a “Champion vs. Champion” showdown packed with elite striking and grappling. All that and SO MUCH MORE!!!

Don’t miss a single second of face-punching action!

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