Ewing Wins UFC Debut Over Undefeated Wellmaker

In a stunning debut for the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Ethyn Ewing outlasted and outworked previously undefeated prospect Malcolm Wellmaker to claim a unanimous decision victory in a featherweight bout at UFC 322 on Saturday night at Madison Square Garden in New York.

The 27-year-old Ewing, stepping in on just two days' notice after replacing an injured Cody Haddon, swept the judges' scorecards 30-27, 29-28 and 29-28 over three rounds. Wellmaker, a 31-year-old bantamweight contender entering with a perfect 10-0 record, absorbed his first professional loss in what marked his third UFC appearance. The fight shifted to featherweight when Ewing accepted the matchup, having competed at bantamweight in his prior outing.

Ewing's opportunity arose amid a series of setbacks for Wellmaker's camp. The bout was originally scheduled against Serhiy Sidey, who withdrew due to injury. Haddon then stepped in as a replacement but suffered a broken foot the day before weigh-ins, prompting UFC officials to call up Ewing. The California native had fought just eight days earlier, securing a first-round knockout over Billy Brand to win the interim bantamweight title at Urijah Faber's A1 Combat...