Just days after pulling off one of the biggest surprises at UFC 322, newly signed bantamweight Ethyn Ewing was right back at work — not in the gym, but on a construction site.
Ewing, who took last-minute fight week notice after Cody Haddon withdrew due to injury, was called up only two days before the event. Despite the short preparation window, the underdog shocked fans by earning a hard-fought upset win over Malcolm Wellmaker, showcasing relentless pressure, sharp scrambling, and a gritty willingness to brawl in close quarters.
The fight was a three-round grind, with Ewing outworking Wellmaker in the scrambles and landing the cleaner, more consistent shots. Analysts praised his composure, noting that stepping into a UFC bout on 48 hours’ notice often spells disaster, but for Ewing, it turned into the biggest moment of his career.
But there was no time to bask in the spotlight. A now-viral video filmed by a co-worker named Bruce Carter and posted on TikTok shows Ewing back on the job at his construction site only a few days after the fight. The clip captures fellow workers giving him a round of applause before he’s asked to lead a routine safety demonstration, wearing his work gear instead of fight gloves.
Ewing hasn’t commented publicly about when he’ll fight next, but with his UFC debut and the viral job-site moment, his underdog appeal has been amplified.