Just a few days removed from the biggest fight in his career, Malcolm Wellmaker is now a full time professional MMA fighter.
On Saturday at UFC Kansas City, 30-year-old bantamweight Malcolm Wellmaker made his anticipated UFC debut after earning a contract through Dana White’s Contender Series.
The heavy-hitting bantamweight emerged onto the scene with a huge win, knocking out Cameron Saaiman in the first round with a brutal right hook.
Despite fighting in the premier mixed martial arts promotion, during his fight camp Wellmaker continued his full-time job as a welder.
Wellmaker quits his full-time job after Dana White gave him $50,000
Although the 30-year-old has been a full time welder since 2015, this Monday marked his final day working in the trade as he officially quit his job to become a full time fighter.
And the reason Wellmaker was able to do that, was because UFC boss Dana White gave him a $50,000 bonus for his spectacular KO win in Kansas City.
“So many people bought into my story so here’s an update,” Wellmaker began his statement on social media.
“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.
“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.
“My goal now is to take full advantage of my time in the UFC by completely committing to fighting, and if everything goes my way I’ll never have to pick up my welding hood again. But if I do, it won’t break my heart because I love the trade and I’m blessed to have done it,” Wellmaker continued.
What’s next for Malcolm Wellmaker in the UFC?
No doubt ‘The Machine’ will be looking to return to action sooner rather than later after taking no damage during his fight with Saaiman.
A fight that could make sense for the 30-year-old next is a clash against someone of the ilk of Victor Henry, who has fought for several years under the UFC banner.