UPDATE: Ethyn Ewing has made an explosive entrance into the UFC, securing a victory in his debut match just eight days after his last fight. Ewing triumphed over Malcolm Wellmaker by unanimous decision during an undercard bout at UFC 322 on Saturday night at the iconic Madison Square Garden.
This remarkable win comes after Ewing, 27, received a last-minute call to replace Cody Haddon, who withdrew due to injury. Remarkably, Ewing missed approximately 40 calls from UFC officials before finally answering on Thursday morning, just two days before the fight. “I guess I needed my beauty sleep,” he joked after his victory.
With scorecards reading 30-27, 29-28, 29-28, Ewing’s performance not only marked his transition to the UFC but extended his winning streak to nine consecutive fights. He expressed his aspirations to continue competing at the highest level, directly addressing UFC President Dana White in the post-fight interview: “Mr. White? I have to say, that was an amazing performance.”
Ewing’s victory adds to his recent success following a win on November 7, 2023, at the A1 Combat 32 promotion. Fighting in the shadow of Patrick Ewing’s legendary No. 33 banner at Madison Square Garden, Ewing is eager to solidify his place in the UFC.
In the main event of UFC 322, Jack Della Maddalena defended his 170-pound championship against Islam Makhachev, while Zhang Weili, a former two-time strawweight champion, aims to become a champion in two weight classes as she challenges Valentina Shevchenko for the 125-pound title. This matchup features two of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the women’s division, heightening the stakes of the evening.
As the night unfolds, all eyes will be on the rising star, Ethyn Ewing, who is now positioned to make waves in the UFC. Fans and analysts alike are eager to see what comes next for this talented fighter.
