Kris Moutinho returns to UFC on short notice, faces knockout artist at UFC Atlanta

Fan favorite fighter Kris Moutinho is getting a second shot at the UFC.

Following a brief two-fight stint with the promotion between 2021 and 2022 that included a memorable scrap with Sean O’Malley, the now 32-year-old bantamweight returns to compete at UFC Atlanta on June 14 when he takes on local favorite Malcolm Wellmaker.

Multiple people with knowledge of the promotion’s plans confirmed the news to MMA Fighting on Wednesday following an initial report from MMA Mania.

While his UFC run ended with an 0-2 record, Moutinho still made quite an impression with his durability and never-say-die attitude in the cage. He went to war with O’Malley back in 2021, but ultimately suffered a late third-round stoppage loss before falling to Guido Cannetti prior to his UFC release.

In the aftermath of those losses, Moutinho bounced back with five straight wins on the regional fight scene with none of those bouts going to a decision.

He gets welcomed back to the UFC while facing one of the promotion’s up-and-coming stars after Wellmaker made quite a splash with a devastating knockout to earn his contract on the Contender Series.

Undefeated through nine professional fights, Wellmaker delivered a jaw-dropping finish in his octagon debut, demolishing Cameron Saaiman in less than two minutes when they met back in April. Afterwards, Wellmaker asked for the chance to fight at UFC Atlanta because he hails from Georgia, but it looked like his wish was going to go unfilled.

That’s all changed now with Wellmaker vs. Moutinho being a late addition to UFC Atlanta, where former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman faces Joaquin Buckley in the five-round main event.

Mike Heck contributed to this report.