Malcolm Wellmaker 🔥Plumber quits job after receiving huge bonus from UFC

Joining the UFC arena with the goal of securing the Performance of the Night bonus, Malcolm Wellmaker delivered exactly as promised.

The undefeated MMA talent lived up to the fans’ expectations in his debut at UFC on ESPN 66 last weekend, knocking out Cameron Saaiman in the very first round. The swift finish earned him an additional $50,000 bonus for “Performance of the Night” from UFC President Dana White.

Right after his victory, Wellmaker announced that he had officially quit his job as a plumber to become a full-time fighter — a promise he had made before his UFC debut.

“A lot of people believed in my story, and here’s the latest update: I just quit my job. On Saturday night, I made my UFC debut, finished my opponent in the first round, and earned a $50,000 bonus. Today, I’m becoming a full-time fighter.”

“In 2015, I joined the Plumbers and Pipefitters Union in Augusta, Local 150, as an apprentice. Since then, I’ve worked in the trade while continuing to chase my own dream. During that time, I made a vow: if I ever made it to the UFC and earned a $50,000 bonus, I’d quit my job — and today, that moment has come.”

“I’m always grateful for the plumbing job. It helped shape me from a boy into a man, gave me friends, and taught me skills I can use anywhere. My goal now is to make the most of my time in the UFC by focusing fully on fighting. If things go well, I’ll never need that hard hat again. But even if I do, I won’t be upset — I love this fight game and feel lucky to have this opportunity.”

Malcolm Wellmaker began his MMA journey in 2018 with nine amateur bouts, where he compiled a record of 8 wins and 1 loss. It wasn’t until 2022 that the 1994-born fighter turned professional, quickly racking up six straight victories across various American MMA promotions. His impressive run earned him a shot on Dana White’s Contender Series — the UFC’s talent-scouting platform.

In August 2024, Wellmaker secured his UFC contract with a first-round finish of Adam Bramhald. Just months later, he made a stunning debut with a knockout of Cameron Saaiman at UFC on ESPN 66.

Following that highlight-reel knockout, Wellmaker has already asked to return to the Octagon this June at UFC Atlanta, an event close to home. Without a doubt, he’ll be aiming for another “Performance of the Night” bonus as he continues to chase UFC glory.