In what could be the last fight of his professional MMA career, Jeremiah Wells snatched a highlight-reel finish with his back against the wall, defeating Myktybek Orolbai to kick off the action at UFC 330 in Wells’ native Philadelphia.
“I said I was going to be here, I’m going to fight here, and now I’m here,” Wells said. “I met Sean Shelby up there somewhere, seven years ago when [UFC] was here and I said, ‘I’m going to fight here one day. And look at me now.”
Wells entered the fight as an approximately +700 underdog, opposed to Orolbai, a heavy favorite at approximately -1200.
Wells was dominated for a significant portion of the fight. Orolbai dictated the first two rounds with his grappling, scoring takedowns on Wells, and controlling thanks to his ground-and-pound usage.
But in the third, Wells landed a stunning right hand that rocked Orolbai. Orolbai tried to counter with clinching up, but he left himself open, allowing Wells to lock in a ninja choke, putting Orolbai to sleep.
Wells teased potential retirement after the fight unless he was able to be a ranked UFC fighter. Wells admitted to dropping the ball twice but thought he could have gotten into the top-15 after defeating Themba Gorimbo last year.
He said if this is it, he’s happy to retire in Philadelphia.
“This would be a dream come true — in my city. I always wanted to do this in my city.”
