It’s a full fight camp for bantamweight Ethyn Ewing this time out, after putting an end to Malcolm Wellmaker’s unbeaten record at UFC 322 in New York City last year.
That was a bit of a Cinderella story, with Wellmaker being a heavy favorite and Ewing stepping in on short notice. At UFC Vegas 115 this Saturday, he takes on Rafael Estevam, another undefeated foe.
Derailing a “hype train” like Wellmaker’s is something fight fans tend to talk about often. For Ewing, it was an opportunity to build himself up.
“The hype was cool, it’s fantastic, I am riding it, I’m using it to build my brand and my name, and to project myself in the rankings as quickly as possible,” explained Ewing (9-2) during this week’s UFC Vegas 115 media day. “But, I have a different opponent in front of me Saturday, and I have prepared above and beyond.”
He also scoffed at the suggestion by some fans that Wellmaker was “fraud checked” in their fight.
“I don’t think it’s a fraud check by any means. Nobody on the larger scene, I don’t want to say nobody, the majority of people didn’t know who I was,” noted Ewing. That said, his inner circle of coaches, teammates and friends knew exactly what he was capable of. “It’s not a fraud check. That guy’s a very large individual for the weight class, he’s very strong, he puts people out in a very savage fashion.”
“For me to go in there and do what I do, did what I did, it just proves who I am, what I’m capable of, what I bring to the table and that I’m a complete fighter. I’m ready for all of it. I’m a technical boxer, striker, I’m a technical grappler, I’m a mixed martial artist. I’m the best at everything.”
Ethyn Ewing has even more motivation to be the best these days. A month after his win over Wellmaker, his wife gave birth to a baby boy. He’s been on parental leave since, and is luckily on good terms with his bosses.
Having a newborn at home, meanwhile, has been a “lot of extra effort, a lot of extra time spent. The moments that I think I get to come home and rest and relax, the wife needs a break.”
Yet while he described his son as a “little monster” looking to grab at things as he explores the world around him, he acknowledged that fatherhood is likely the best thing he’s ever done.
“It’s a heightened level of effort and such, but it’s the greatest thing I’ve ever done, it’s probably the greatest thing I’ll ever do. Madison Square Garden is cool, but having that little baby boy at home is that much better.”
Watch the full UFC Vegas 115 media day appearance with Ethyn Ewing above.