Young bantamweight contenders will slug it out on Saturday at UFC Vegas 117, as Malcolm Wellmaker and Juan Diaz are scheduled to face each other inside the Meta APEX in Las Vegas.
Even though he lost his previous match, Wellmaker still heads into the bout as the betting favorite with -300 UFC odds. On the other hand, Diaz, who’s fresh off his triumph from Dana White’s Contender Series, will be the +240 betting underdog.
UFC Vegas 117: Malcolm Wellmaker vs. Juan Diaz Fight Odds
- Malcolm Wellmaker: -300
- Juan Diaz: +240
UFC Vegas 117: Malcolm Wellmaker vs. Juan Diaz: Tale of the Tape
| Malcolm Wellmaker | Juan Diaz | |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 31 | 27 |
| Height | 5’10” | 5’8” |
| Reach | 71.5 inches | 69.5 inches |
| Leg Reach | 40.5 inches | 38 inches |
| Record | 10-1 | 15-1-1 |
| Fighting Style | Striker | MMA |
| Finishing Rate | 80% | 47% |
UFC Vegas 117: Malcolm Wellmaker vs. Juan Diaz: Prediction
I predict a TKO/KO finish for Wellmaker over Diaz, as he’s the more dynamic striker who mixes his attack. While Diaz has punches as powerful as Wellmaker’s, he relies on them heavily and thrives only in close-range exchanges.
Wellmaker can dictate the fight with his kicks, keeping Diaz at a safe distance while remaining effective. Furthermore, Wellmaker is visibly quicker than Diaz, which means he can win the majority of the exchanges on the feet.
The American MMA star should spam Diaz with his kicks and soften up his legs and body before going for a potential finish with his patented right hook. Wellmaker completely abandoned this fight plan in his previous fight, which is why he received his first career defeat.
Malcolm Wellmaker’s Recent Fight Results
Wellmaker was the former Conflict MMA champion before he joined Dana White’s Contender Series in 2024. He defeated Adam Bramhald in the competition to secure a UFC contract. Then, he won two of his three bouts inside the octagon, with wins over Cameron Saaiman and Kris Moutinho and a loss to Ethyn Ewing.
Juan Diaz’s Recent Fight Results
Diaz was the former Lux Fight League titleholder who defended his belt several times before he joined Dana White’s Contender Series in October. He was pitted against Kwon Won Il and scored a second-round finish to earn a spot in the promotion’s roster.
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