Cameron Saaiman promises to bounce back from brutal UFC knockout
Taking to social media on Wednesday, Saaiman spoke of a 'challenging last 12-18 months' and said he 'WILL bounce back'.
Saaiman wrote: 'I would firstly like to thank each and every person who showed their support. I really appreciate you guys.
'To my team, family, friends and sponsors,
'Thank you for sticking by my side through a very challenging 12-18 months. I am deeply grateful to you guys for always being there through the highs and lows.
'I felt amazing in that cage. It felt like home. So it really pains me knowing that I could not live up to the expectations and standards that I set out for myself.
'I truly love this sport more than anything in the world and I will not allow these losses to define me.
'I know that I WILL bounce back from this.
'Thank you all '
Malcolm Wellmaker's right hand earned him a UFC contract and on Saturday night it earned him his first UFC victory.
The 30-year-old bantamweight made a spectacular octagon debut at UFC Kansas City, needing less than two minutes to land a right hook that floored South African opponent Cameron Saaiman.
Wellmaker was aggressive from the start, cutting off the cage in pursuit of Saaiman.
When Saaiman attempted to punch his way off the fence, Wellmaker slipped the shots and countered with his own, landing square on Saaiman's chin and sending him crashing to the canvas.
The official time of the stoppage was 1:59 into Round 1.
Wellmaker, known as 'The Machine', improved to 9-0 as a professional.
Meanwhile, Saaiman now finds himself in something of a slump after a 3-0 start to his UFC career.
He is now heading in the opposite direction, having lost three straight fights.
Whether he's given another UFC fight any time soon remains to be seen.
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