At UFC on ESPN 66 in Kansas City, Malcolm Wellmaker took one step closer to the American Dream! Taking on Cameron Saaiman for his debut in Dana White’s promotion, Wellmaker delivered a thunderous first-round knockout. This was the kind of knockout that echoes far beyond the cage—straight into hopes, dreams, and maybe even a resignation letter.

But before he was making arenas erupt, Wellmaker was clocking into work, fitting pipes and grinding through double shifts. In a conversation with UFC.com, he confessed, “But I was in the apprenticeship before I ever even started training. I got introduced to MMA through one of the guys I met during the apprenticeship. And so, I never even knew what it was like to train without having to juggle a full-time job with school two nights a week and then a couple Saturday classes every semester.”

As such, this wasn’t just a victory. It was a statement. A chance to swap wrenches for UFC gloves. But the golden ticket—the $50,000 Performance Bonus—is still hanging in the balance.

After the fight, when asked point-blank if he was still working the trade, Wellmaker’s answer came with a smile and a heavy dose of hope as he shared, “We’re gonna find out when they dish out a bonus today. When they dish out a bonus, I don’t know if we’re gonna work on Monday.”

And if $50,000 landed in his bank account overnight, would he march straight into the office and bid farewell to his job? With a cheeky smile, Wellmaker answered, “I pinky promise you!”

Naturally, fans couldn’t hold back their emotions after witnessing Malcolm Wellmaker’s performance and hearing the stakes behind his victory. They are raising their voices in a call for Dana White to make sure the young fighter’s dreams come true! Here’s a look at what the netizens had to say.

Calls rise for Dana White to deliver a bonus as Malcolm Wellmaker makes a blistering debut at UFC on ESPN 66 in Kansas City

“Dana better give this man that bonus.”

The rallying cry of the night. For fans, this wasn’t just about money. It was about rewarding the blood, sweat, and countless overtime hours poured into two grueling careers.

“Blue collar boys.”

A nod to every man and woman still clocking into a trade job while chasing something bigger after hours. Wellmaker wasn’t just fighting opponents; he was fighting circumstances, fatigue, and the heavy weight of ‘what if.’ Now the ball is in Dana White’s court to make sure his hard work pays off!

“If he’s a unionized pipe fitter or welder in the UA he’s making about 150-300k a year with all the double time OT and sweet benefits. Make sure it’s worth it before you quit. However, I’m gonna bet he’s probably working at a scab company for a trash rate lol. Get the Bonus dog.”

Some fans brought spreadsheets to the celebration, reminding Wellmaker, that financial security isn’t just about passion. It’s also about the cold, hard math. Still, even the most practical voices ended with the same message: Dana White needs to hand this man his bonus!

“Next superstar. Just work on wrestling 24/7 ur strikings already peak.”

This fan doesn’t just see a bonus. They see a championship belt somewhere down the road. With striking that dazzles and a hunger that refuses to dim, Wellmaker might just be carving out his own legendary path to become an inspiration for others like him, still chasing their dreams.

“This guy produced a song for Chief Keef if I’m not mistaken.”

The internet, never without its deep dives, tossed this gem into the mix. While it might be confused with another name, it speaks volumes: Wellmaker’s buzz has people looking deeper, even if mistakenly!

In the end, from his first amateur scraps to knocking out Cameron Saaiman, Malcolm Wellmaker has been carrying two worlds on his back. Pipe wrench in one hand, fight gloves in the other. But the question still lingers: Will Dana White answer the call and change his life forever? Let us know in the comments below!