Heartbreak for Cameron Saaiman as SA star suffers first-round knockout at UFC fight night
A dejected Cameron Saaiman reflects after his first-round defeat at UFC Fight Night: Machado Garry vs Prates in Kansas City. Photo: AFP
Image: AFP
The disappointment on his face was glaringly obvious as South Africa's UFC bantamweight athlete Cameron Saaiman lined up in the centre of the Octagon while world-renowned UFC ring announcer Bruce Buffer officially concluded the fight.
Competing at UFC Fight Night: Machado Garry vs Prates at the T-Mobile Centre in Kansas City, Saaiman suffered a first-round knockout against UFC debutant Malcolm Wellmaker (USA) on the preliminary card of the show in Missouri, USA.
Both bantamweights took a moment to make plenty of reads and measure their ranges before engaging early in the first round.
Malcolm Wellmaker lands a huge KO with a PERFECT shot on Cameron Saaiman. Welcome to the UFC! 🔥#UFCKansasCity
pic.twitter.com/YPtOYMIyy0 — Verdict (@VerdictMMA) April 26, 2025
South Africa's Saaiman stayed light on his feet on the outside with good foot movement, before targeting the legs of Wellmaker, who kept moving forward, calm and composed. As Wellmaker closed the distance between the two fighters, it was Saaiman who landed the first body shot with a left straight. Wellmaker, with the superior reach, unleashed a quick combination.
Still, Saaiman showcased some beautiful head movement and slips that would have been very beneficial later on, had he maintained that sharpness, as Wellmaker is known for his extreme power.
It was clear that Saaiman was aware of Wellmaker's plan to use his boxing and thus continued attacking the American's lead leg to try to neutralise his knockout ability.
As the athletes moved towards the side of the cage, with Wellmaker controlling the space inside the Octagon, Wellmaker attacked Saaiman's body with a straight jab, which was countered by another lead leg attack from Saaiman. As the distance further closed, Wellmaker attempted to land another powerful hook to the body.
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