UFC 322 has added another layer of intrigue with the inclusion of one of MMA’s most talked-about up-and-comers.
Following the organisation’s usual October stop in Abu Dhabi for UFC 321, attention will shift to Madison Square Garden, which hosts UFC 322 on November 15.
The event is headlined by two title fights that promise plenty of drama. Islam Makhachev will take on Jack Della Maddalena for the welterweight belt, but before that, Valentina Shevchenko faces Zhang Weili in a super fight for the women’s flyweight championship.
The undercard is not lacking in anticipation either, with a recently confirmed bout featuring an undefeated bantamweight who many believe is destined for big things in the sport.
Malcolm Wellmaker gets his wish to fight at UFC 322
Before the main events get underway, the night will also feature Leon Edwards’ return and a bout between Benoit Saint-Denis and Beneil Dariush.
If that was not enough to promise a big night at Madison Square Garden, the addition of undefeated striker Malcolm Wellmaker should help seal it.
According to Marcel Dorff, the Dana White’s Contender Series product will be back for his third fight of 2025 when he faces Serhiy Sidey (12-2).
This follows a one-punch knockout in Atlanta this past June, where Wellmaker openly campaigned for a spot on the New York card later this year.
“That’s one of the biggest things you could do as a combat sports athlete. 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.”
Malcolm Wellmaker leaves job after earning $50,000 UFC bonus from Dana White
The past April, Wellmaker made a quick impression in his UFC debut, finishing the fight in under two minutes. It was a result that did not just boost his profile, but also changed things for him outside the Octagon.
After stopping Cameron Saaiman, he picked up a $50k bonus from Dana White. That money gave him the freedom to leave his welding job behind and focus fully on his fighting career.
He shared the news with fans on social media, posting an update on Instagram after leaving his day job behind.
“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.
“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.”
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