A fighter's dream can turn into a nightmare in an instant. Just ask Malcolm "The Machine" Wellmaker, whose opponent for UFC 322 suddenly pulled out due to a nasty injury. But fear not, fight fans, because "The Machine" is still ready to rumble!
Alexander Behunin, a key part of the MMAmania.com team, handling social media, covering live events, and interviewing stars, brings you the latest on this exciting matchup.
Wellmaker, a red-hot Bantamweight known for his devastating knockout power, will now face Australia's own Cody Haddon at UFC 322, scheduled for Sat., Nov. 15, 2025, at the legendary Madison Square Garden in New York City. This news was first reported by MMAJunkie.
But here's where it gets controversial... Some fans might argue that a last-minute opponent switch can throw off a fighter's entire game plan. Do you think Wellmaker will be affected by this change, or will he adapt and conquer?
Wellmaker (10-0) has been an absolute force since joining the UFC. With two fights already under his belt, many consider him a top contender for "Rookie of the Year." The 31-year-old made a thunderous debut at UFC Kansas City, obliterating Cameron Saaiman in under two minutes and earning a sweet $50,000 "Performance of the Night" bonus. Remember that knockout? (You can relive the highlights here: [link to highlights]). He followed that up with another electrifying finish in his home state of Georgia, crushing a returning Kris Moutinho in less than three minutes (highlights here: [link to highlights]).
And this is the part most people miss... Wellmaker's aggressive style and relentless pressure make him a nightmare matchup for almost anyone in the division. His opponents need to be prepared to weather an early storm or risk getting caught in a highlight-reel knockout.
Now, let's talk about his new opponent. Haddon (8-1) secured his UFC contract on Season 8 of Dana White's Contender Series and was the first winner from that season to step into the Octagon. He made his debut count, battling through a tough three-round war against Dan Argueta to earn a unanimous decision.
The 27-year-old was originally slated to face Aleksandre Topuria (brother of Ilia Topuria) at UFC 312, but an injury sidelined him. Now fully recovered, Haddon enters the fight with an impressive 88 percent finish rate, boasting five knockouts and two submissions. One thing's for sure: Haddon is known for always bringing excitement to the cage.
It's also worth noting that Haddon is stepping in on relatively short notice. How will that affect his performance against a seasoned finisher like Wellmaker?
With this Bantamweight battle added, here's the updated UFC 322 fight card:
- Jack Della Maddalena vs. Islam Makhachev
- Valentina Shevchenko vs. Zhang Weili
- Leon Edwards vs. Carlos Prates
- Sean Brady vs. Michael Morales
- Beneil Dariush vs. Benoit Saint Denis
- Erin Blanchfield vs. Tracy Cortez
- Bo Nickal vs. Rodolfo Vieira
- Malcolm Wellmaker vs. Cody Haddon
- Roman Kopylov vs. Gregory Rodrigues
- Eric McConico vs. Baisangur Susurkaev
- Kyle Daukaus vs. Gerald Meerschaert
- Fatima Kline vs. Angela Hill
For the complete UFC schedule, click here: [link to UFC schedule]
Now it's your turn! Who do you think will win this Bantamweight clash? Will Wellmaker continue his dominant run, or will Haddon pull off the upset? Share your predictions and thoughts in the comments below. Do you believe last minute opponent changes provide an unfair advantage or disadvantage?
