Malcolm Wellmaker has become a full-time fighter after winning a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus at UFC Kansas City, allowing him to quit his job as a pipefitter and focus entirely on his UFC career.
Malcolm Wellmaker finally sees himself as a full-time fighter. After a jaw-dropping knockout against Cameron Saaiman at UFC Kansas City, he had a plan. If he got a post-fight bonus, he’d quit his job as a pipefitter. Guess what? He snagged a $50,000 Performance of the Night award and, by Monday, handed in his notice. Bold move, right?
“So many people bought into my story, so here’s an update: I just quit my job!” Wellmaker shared on Instagram. What a weekend—UFC debut, first-round knockout, and a $50k bonus. Today, he’s all in on fighting.
Back in 2015, he joined the pipefitters union in Augusta, Local 150. Worked full-time while chasing that UFC dream. He always promised himself that if he made it to the UFC and got a $50k bonus, he’d quit. Well, today’s the day.
Despite winning on The Contender Series and earning a UFC contract, he couldn’t leave his job. Crazy hours, intense training—life was a grind. “Got that knockout, felt like life would change overnight. Maybe a Bentley?” he joked. But reality kept him grounded and hungry.
Now, with that extra $50,000, he didn’t hesitate to tell his employers he’s focusing solely on fighting. “I’ll always be grateful to the trade,” Wellmaker said. It taught him life skills and brought lifelong friends. A safety net, just in case.
His goal? Maximize his UFC time, fully commit to fighting. If things go well, he’ll never pick up a welding hood again. But if he does, no heartbreak. He loves the trade and feels blessed.
After his win, he asked for a spot on the UFC Atlanta card in June, close to home in Augusta, Ga. Dana White seemed interested. For now, Wellmaker’s enjoying newfound freedom as a full-time fighter, celebrating his first UFC win. Exciting times ahead!