Popular fighter Kris Moutinho is set for a return to the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
After a brief two-fight period with the promotion between 2021 and 2022, which included a memorable bout against Sean O’Malley, the 32-year-old bantamweight is coming back to compete at UFC Atlanta on June 14. His opponent will be local favorite Malcolm Wellmaker.
News of his return was confirmed by multiple sources familiar with the promotion`s plans on Wednesday, following an initial report.
Although his previous UFC tenure finished with an 0-2 record, Moutinho left a lasting impression thanks to his toughness and relentless style. His fight against O’Malley in 2021 was a notable battle, ending in a late third-round loss. He also lost to Guido Cannetti before being released by the promotion.
Following his departure, Moutinho rebounded strongly on the regional circuit, securing five consecutive victories, all of which were finishes.
He is welcomed back to the Octagon against one of the UFC`s promising new talents. Wellmaker earned his spot in the promotion with a devastating knockout on the Contender Series.
Wellmaker boasts an undefeated 9-0 professional record. He made a stunning first impression in his UFC debut in April, quickly knocking out Cameron Saaiman in under two minutes. Hailing from Georgia, Wellmaker had expressed a desire to compete in Atlanta, though initially it seemed that opportunity wouldn`t materialize.
However, this has changed, as the Wellmaker vs. Moutinho bout has been added late to the UFC Atlanta fight card. The event is headlined by a five-round welterweight clash between former champion Kamaru Usman and Joaquin Buckley.
