Welterweight prospect Malcolm Wellmaker returns to action at UFC Vegas 117, looking to bounce back from the first loss of his professional career when he takes on Juan Diaz.
Few predicted Ethyn Ewing would get the win over Wellmaker (10-1) last November at UFC 322, but he’s since become something of a prospect killer. As for Wellmaker, it’s been six months since that fight, something he has attempted to use to his advantage.
While the media didn’t turn out in Las Vegas this week thanks to the Rousey vs. Carano card on Netflix, Wellmaker still answered questions on Wednesday ahead of the bout.
On the extra time off after his last fight
“It was tough, because last year I competed really frequently, and I was itching to get back in there. I was calling my manager, asking about this date, asking about that date. And after I realized it was going to be a little bit longer, I took advantage of that time. I settled down, I talked to my coaches and we focused on technical improvements. Sharpening the mind instead of going super hard and breaking down the body as if I’m preparing for a fight. So the time turned out ot be very developmental for me.”
What has the last 12 to 15 months been like?
“It’s been crazy because it’s not been like the last 30 years of my life. I became an actual full time athlete, I fought frequently on the biggest stages, I made a ton of money, still am compared to what I was. And I got to be active, I got to be relevant, I got to rub shoulders with so many big names and to really get a taste of what it’s like to really embrace this new role that I have in my job. And then when things slowed down, believe it or not it still looks so different than it used to. I’m still full time training, I’m super committed to my teammates as well, helping them in their camps. I’ve got a couple young guys that I’m helping develop, and I’m spending a lot of time as an athlete studying film. I’m spending a lot of time doing slow technical jiu-jitsu, slow technical boxing. So even then with the past six months compared to the six months before that, it was still something I’ve never experienced and it’s been a blessing. I love it.”
Using the Ewing loss in a positive way
“Moving past it was very difficult and to be honest, I never fully moved past it because I was able to use it in a positive way. For the first couple weeks, to be honest with you it was hard. I was avoiding it, I didn’t want to watch the fight, I didn’t want to talk about the fight. But once I got over the initial blow, that hard spot, I was able to break it down, I was able to have conversations with my coaches. I was able to see the silver lining, and I was able to use it as fuel to the fire. Even the resulting criticism from most of the internet or fanbase, it was more or less warranted, but better than anything it drove me to push myself to new limits. Not just physically, but as far as my technical skills, as far as my mentality, my psychology. I feel like a completely different fighter because of that loss, and it’s going to be amazing this Saturday. I can’t wait.”
The full UFC Vegas 117 media session with Malcolm Wellmaker can be found above.
