Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Wellmaker was defeated by knockout Otari Tanzilov at
UFC Vegas 122dropping his promotional record to 2-3. “The Machine” earned his UFC contract
Dana White Candidate Series in 2024.
Malcolm Wellmaker recalls third straight UFC loss after moving his family to train with America’s top team
Wellmaker (10-3) stopped his first two UFC opponents in the opening round last year. He then suffered his first professional loss Ethyn Ewing
by unanimous decision in November before losing both of his 2026 appearances by stoppage.
Wellmaker previously trained at Faglieri MMA in Augusta, Georgia. He moved to Florida with his family to train there
America’s Top Team before the Tanzilov fight.
“After taking some time to let things settle and collect my thoughts, I have to be honest, this shit still really hurts,” Wellmaker wrote on Instagram. “The whole story of this fight was that I finally left my small town gym and went to train with a world class team. I left my hometown and everything I love behind to be the best fighter I can be… and I still lost… It was all for nothing… At least that’s how it felt.”
The UFC athlete said his ambitions are more focused on providing for his family than fame or a lavish lifestyle. She described sharing her thoughts as a way to find closure and move on.
“I never wanted a famous, flashy lifestyle or to be remembered as a legend,” Wellmaker added. “I just wanted to come out and share the success with the people I love. I’m going to retire my family early, bail out my brothers when they’re struggling, get my mom or aunt a real LV bag or something. No big deal. I always try to be upright. Honest, hardworking, humble, selfless, respectful. But that’s okay. And it’s all okay. it burns. It’s me picking myself up and dusting myself off. Let’s see what’s next.
