Malcolm Wellmaker appears to have all the makings of a future star.
The Augusta, Georgia, native took home a $50,000 “Performance of the Night” bonus thanks to a first-round knockout of Kris Moutinho in a preliminary bantamweight clash at UFC Atlanta on Saturday night. A right hook from Wellmaker caused his opponent to face plant into the canvas, bringing an abrupt end to the contest at the 2:37 mark of Round 1.
Elsewhere, Kamaru Usman and Joaquin Buckley earned “Fight of the Night” honors and $50,000 apiece for their five-round battle in the evening’s main event.