Andy Lang said he is ‘fading Malcolm Wellmaker’ and backing Cameron Saaiman on the money line. Lang argued that Wellmaker’s 2-minute Contender Series knockout offered no look at his cardio or defensive layers, and the 8-0 prospect still leaves major openings when he throws power. Saaiman, only 24, has already logged three UFC appearances and learned from a KO loss to Talbott plus a decision with Christian Rodriguez. Lang highlighted Saaiman’s diverse kicking game, 5.32 significant strikes landed per minute, and proven durability—he absorbed 100+ strikes from Talbott before going out. He believes the South African’s experience edge and volume will exploit Wellmaker’s porous 42 percent striking defense and drag the late-finishing debutante into waters he has never seen. In Lang’s view this continues the trend of Contender Series rookies faltering in first UFC outings, making Saaiman a straight bet or parlay anchor.

Paul Shaughnessy landed on Cameron Saaiman as well but zeroed in on the submission market, expecting a grind-heavy approach. After re-watching Wellmaker’s split-decision wins where he was pinned to the fence for long stretches, Paul doubts the Georgian newcomer can defend prolonged grappling from a younger fighter who averages 1.4 takedowns per 15 and lives on the mat in South Africa’s top camp. Shaughnessy noted Wellmaker’s regional résumé is littered with 1-4 and 0-0 opponents and that he tapped to an amateur armbar in 2019, suggesting a potential hole once the fight hits the floor. At +450 or longer, Paul sees Saaiman by sub as the ‘sneaky’ way to bet a fight most expect to stay standing.

Cody Saftic backed 24-year-old Cameron Saaiman in the pick-em because of volume, cardio and a deeper skill set. He acknowledged Malcolm Wellmaker’s athleticism and two-handed power but pointed out the debutant is 30, spent four years on the amateur circuit and owns narrow split-decision wins over regional journeymen. Saftic likes Saaiman’s high-tempo kickboxing (5.03 sig. strikes landed per minute), scrambling ability learned at Team CIT alongside Dricus du Plessis, and the full year he took after the Peyton Talbott mauling to address defensive lapses. Cody expects Saaiman’s pressure and clinch trips to tire Wellmaker and sees a Round 3 surge or 29-28 cards in favor of the South African.