UFC 322 is poised to be an electrifying event, with the exciting addition of one of mixed martial arts` most promising talents, Malcolm Wellmaker. Following the promotion`s annual journey to Abu Dhabi for UFC 321, all attention will shift to the iconic Madison Square Garden in New York City on November 15 for a truly stacked fight card.
The upcoming event is already creating considerable buzz, highlighted by two highly anticipated championship bouts. The main event will see Islam Makhachev challenge Jack Della Maddalena for the welterweight championship, while a compelling super fight between Valentina Shevchenko and Zhang Weili will determine the women’s flyweight belt holder. The undercard promises to be equally thrilling, notably featuring the undefeated bantamweight prospect, Malcolm Wellmaker, who proudly boasts a perfect 10-0 record and is widely regarded as a future star on MMA`s biggest stage.
Malcolm Wellmaker`s Dream Fight at UFC 322 Becomes Reality
Beyond the high-stakes championship encounters, UFC 322 will also showcase a dynamic mix of top contenders and emerging prospects, including the return of Leon Edwards and a pivotal clash between Benoit Saint-Denis and Beneil Dariush. Adding to this already impressive lineup is the inclusion of the formidable knockout artist, Malcolm Wellmaker (10-0), whose presence virtually guarantees memorable moments at the legendary MSG venue.
As confirmed by reporter Marcel Dorff, the Dana White’s Contender Series alumnus is scheduled to make his third appearance of 2025 at UFC 322, where he will face Canada’s Serhiy Sidey (12-2). This exciting announcement fulfills Wellmaker’s publicly expressed desire to fight at Madison Square Garden, a wish he vocalized after his spectacular one-punch knockout victory at UFC Atlanta this past June.
“That’s one of the biggest things you could do as a combat sports athlete,” Wellmaker stated during a media scrum, reflecting on the magnitude of the opportunity. “Being able to check something like that off the list in my third UFC fight would be incredible. So, I’m shooting for it. My management knows I want it, Sean (Shelby) and them know I want it, and hopefully they can do it for me,” he added.
From Welder to Full-Time Fighter: Malcolm Wellmaker’s Inspiring Journey
Wellmaker’s path to the UFC is a testament to unwavering determination. His UFC debut in Kansas City last April, which he dramatically concluded in less than two minutes, was not just a significant career milestone but a truly life-altering moment.
Following his dominant performance against Cameron Saaiman, Wellmaker was awarded a generous $50,000 performance bonus by Dana White. This financial boost provided him with the freedom to leave his job as a welder and commit himself entirely to his burgeoning MMA career.
In an Instagram post, Wellmaker openly shared his excitement and gratitude: “So many people bought into my story so here’s an update… I just quit my job! Saturday night I made my UFC debut, scored a first-round knockout and earned a $50k performance bonus. Today I became a full-time fighter.” He further elaborated on his journey: “In 2015 I joined the pipe fitters union in Augusta, Local 150 as an apprentice. Since then, I’ve worked full-time in the trade while chasing my dream. All my career I swore that if I made it to the UFC and earned a $50k bonus I would quit my job, and today it finally happened.”
