Malcolm Wellmaker admits costly mistake ahead of UFC Vegas 122

Wellmaker (10-2) hopes to snap a two-game losing streak when they meet Otari Tanzilov (10-2) at
UFC Vegas 122 on Saturday at the Meta Apex in Las Vegas.

Malcolm Wellmaker says he underestimated Ethyn Ewing before switching camps and preparing for Otari Tanzilov

Wellmaker suffered his first professional loss Ethyn Ewing
last November. He then submitted Juan Diaz in May, dropping his UFC record to 2-2 after earning the contract

Dana White Candidate Series in 2024.

Wellmaker said the losses exposed flaws in his game and prompted him to seek a new training environment. Later he joined
America’s Top Teamwhere he has worked with experienced fighters and trainers to hone his skills.

“I never really had to deal with the loss part until recently and thankfully those words stuck with me,” Wellmaker said in a pre-fight interview. “So when I lost my fights, I mean, yeah, it hurt, but you know, they didn’t take anything away from me. It made me better.”

He also admitted to underestimating Ewing.

“My confidence was a little high,” Wellmaker added. “I respected him, but not enough. You know, it was a mentality change, but also like a skill thing, man.”

The 32-year-old wants to maintain the aggressive style that earned him a UFC contract and wins in his first two bouts with the promotion, while using a more calculated approach.

“I’ve got to go in there, still be aggressive, try to put that power on people, knock them out cold, but you know, just do it more strategically,” Wellmaker said.