Jeremiah Wells

Jeremiah C. Wells (born October 30, 1986) is an American professional mixed martial artist who competes in the Welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Background Wells was born in 1986 in West Hazelton, Pennsylvania, a city of about 25,000, nearby Philadelphia. Growing up a variety of sports, ranging from football, basketball and soccer, he eventually settled into breeding dogs to sell and working at a factory to support his child. He started training MMA at the age of 24 and fell in love with it, pursuing it as a career.

Mixed martial arts career Early career Wells competed as an amateur middleweight from 2011 to 2012, amassing a 2–1 record.

Making his professional MMA debut at PA Cage Fight 14, he scored a first-round TKO against Quinton Stephens, before submitting his next two opponents, Bradley Desir and Scott Hudson, via second round rear-naked chokes. He would then compete for the Cage Fury FC Welterweight Championship against Emmanuel Wallo at CFFC 56, which he would lose by unanimous decision. After drawing with Bassil Hafez at CFFC 69, Wells would rebound, chocking out Gary Balletto Jr in the first round at CES MMA 49. Wells would then defeat The Ultimate Fighter season 16 alumni Jon Manley via unanimous decision at CES MMA 50, before winning by unanimous decision against Jason Norwood in the main event of CES MMA 52 for the CES MMA Welterweight Championship. Losing the championship in the next bout at CES MMA 52 against future Bellator fighter Vinicius de Jesus via unanimous decision, Wells knocked out Mumia Abu Dey-Ali in the first round att CFFC 76. In his final bout before the UFC, Wells submitted Marco Smallman in the second round at CFFC 78.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

In his UFC debut, Wells faced Warlley Alves, replacing Ramazan Emeev, on June 26, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 190. Wells won the fight via knockout in round two.

Wells was scheduled to face Jake Matthews on December 4, 2021, at UFC on ESPN 31. However, just hours before the event the bout was cancelled after one of Wells's cornermen tested positive for COVID-19.

His second fight in UFC, Wells faced Mike Mathetha, replacing Orion Cosce on February 12, 2022, at UFC 271. He won the fight via technical submission in round one.

Wells faced Court McGee on June 18, 2022, at UFC on ESPN 37. He won the bout in the first round, knocking out McGee with a left hook. This win earned him his first Performance of the Night award.

Wells faced Matthew Semelsberger on April 22, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 222. He won the back-and-forth fight via split decision.

Wells faced Carlston Harris on August 5, 2023, at UFC on ESPN 50. He lost the bout in the third round, getting choked out via anaconda choke.

Wells faced Max Griffin on February 10, 2024 at UFC Fight Night 236. He lost the bout by split decision.

Wells was scheduled to face Niko Price on June 1, 2024 at UFC 302. However, due to an injury, Wells was replaced by Alex Morono.

Wells was scheduled to face promotional newcomer Andreas Gustafsson on May 31, 2025 at UFC on ESPN 68. However on May 20, 2025, Wells withdrew due to an injury and was replaced by Trevin Giles in a catchweight bout.

Wells faced Themba Gorimbo on November 1, 2025 at UFC Fight Night 263. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Wells was scheduled to face Nicolas Dalby on May 16, 2026 at UFC Fight Night 276. However on May 7, Dalby pulled out due to an undisclosed injury.

Wells faced Myktybek Orolbai on August 15, 2026, at UFC 330. He won the fight via a ninja choke submission in the third round. This fight earned him a $100,000 Performance of the Night award.

Championships and accomplishments Cage Fury Fighting Championships Cage Fury FC Welterweight Championship (one time; former) CES MMA CES MMA Welterweight Championship (one time; former) Ultimate Fighting Championship Performance of the Night (Two times)