Malcolm Wellmaker has now fully committed to being a professional fighter.
After achieving a spectacular knockout victory over Cameron Saaiman last Saturday at UFC Kansas City, the Contender Series alumnus had revealed his intention to leave his job as a pipefitter if he received a post-fight bonus. Upon earning the $50,000 Performance of the Night award, Wellmaker confirmed on Monday that he formally gave notice at his workplace to dedicate all his energy to his fighting career.
Sharing the news on Instagram, Wellmaker stated, “So many people followed my journey, here`s an update: I just quit my job! Saturday night I made my UFC debut, achieved a first-round knockout and earned a $50k performance bonus. Today, I became a full-time fighter.”
He elaborated on his background, “In 2015, I joined the pipefitters union in Augusta, Local 150, starting as an apprentice. Since then, I`ve worked full-time in the trade while pursuing my dream. Throughout my career, I promised myself that if I reached the UFC and earned a $50k bonus, I would quit my job. Today, that promise finally became reality.”
Wellmaker had previously shared that he was balancing his full-time pipefitting job with his aspirations of becoming a UFC fighter.
Even after his win on The Contender Series, which secured him a UFC contract, the bantamweight hopeful still lacked the financial means to quit his job, continuing to work extensive hours while preparing for his first octagon appearance.
Recalling his feelings after securing his initial UFC contract via the knockout on the Contender Series, Wellmaker mentioned, “I got that knockout and I felt like my life would change overnight and I`d be driving a Bentley. But I`m still grinding. For the most part, I was still in the same situation, apart from being a signed UFC athlete. It keeps you humble, hungry, and working hard. Hopefully, after this fight [UFC debut], I can make the change for more success.”
With the additional $50,000 secured from the bonus, Wellmaker promptly notified his employers of his departure to fully concentrate on his fighting career.
Wellmaker expressed his gratitude for his former profession, saying, “I will always be thankful for the trade. It helped me grow from a boy into a man, brought lifelong friends into my life, and I acquired a skillset I can always rely on, no matter what happens.”
He continued about his future plans, “My goal now is to maximize my time in the UFC by dedicating myself entirely to fighting. If things go as planned, I hope I`ll never need to pick up my welding hood again. But if I do, I won`t be heartbroken because I love the trade and feel fortunate to have had that experience.”
Following his recent victory, Wellmaker expressed interest in fighting on the upcoming UFC Atlanta card in June, which is conveniently located only a few hours from his home in Augusta, Georgia. UFC CEO Dana White seemed receptive to the idea.
For the time being, Wellmaker can enjoy the newfound freedom of being a full-time fighter while celebrating his first official win in the UFC.
Wesley Dunham 
Marcus Blakely