Jeremiah Wells Shocks Orolbai With UFC 330 Submission

Jeremiah Wells submitted Myktybek Orolbai with a third-round guillotine choke at UFC 330 in Philadelphia, pulling off one of the biggest underdog wins of the year in his own hometown.

Wells, a 39-year-old West Philadelphia native, was fighting in front of his own fans for the first time in his UFC career and opened the card as a massive live dog against Orolbai, a rising welterweight who had won three straight. Depending on the book, Wells was priced anywhere from roughly +700 to +750, with Orolbai laying odds as steep as -1200. Books had Orolbai penciled in as the clear favorite to keep climbing the 170-pound ladder, and for two rounds the number looked right. Orolbai used his wrestling to control Wells on the mat and piled up time on top through the first two rounds.

Then the fight flipped. Wells landed a right hand that buzzed Orolbai in round three, and when Orolbai shot for a takedown to survive, Wells wrapped up a guillotine and choked him unconscious at 1:24 of the round.

Why This Result Matters for the Welterweight Division

The finish snaps Orolbai's three-fight winning streak and marks his first loss since he moved up to welterweight in 2025. It was also his first defeat since a Fight of the Year caliber battle with Mateusz Rebecki back in October 2024. For a fighter who looked like a genuine 170-pound prospect on the rise, a loss this lopsided on paper, to a heavy underdog, is the kind of result that can stall a ranking push even with two dominant rounds on the cards before the finish.

For Wells, the win pushes him to 6-2 in the UFC and extends his winning streak to two fights. He's now stopped three opponents inside the octagon. Wells said in his postfight interview that he's weighing retirement, and he briefly laid his gloves down in the cage afterward, though he's since indicated he'd keep fighting for the right opportunity, including a run at the top 15.

Betting Angle

Orolbai opening as roughly a 10 to 1 favorite on the biggest stage of his career and losing outright is exactly the kind of number sportsbooks will be more careful with the next time he steps in against a live veteran. Bettors who backed Wells at +700 or better cashed one of the bigger single-fight payouts of the card, and it's a reminder that opening preliminary bouts, often overlooked by bettors chasing the main card, can carry real value when a wrestler-heavy favorite hasn't been tested on the feet or on the back foot. If Wells does fight again, expect oddsmakers to price him closer given the finish, but his age and style still make him a live dog rather than a favorite against most ranked 170-pounders.

Frequently Asked Questions

How did Jeremiah Wells beat Myktybek Orolbai at UFC 330?

Jeremiah Wells submitted Myktybek Orolbai with a guillotine choke at 1:24 of the third round after landing a right hand that hurt Orolbai during a takedown attempt.

What were the betting odds on Jeremiah Wells vs Myktybek Orolbai?

Jeremiah Wells entered UFC 330 as a heavy underdog priced around +700 to +750, while Myktybek Orolbai was favored at odds as steep as -1200.

Is Jeremiah Wells retiring from MMA after UFC 330?

Jeremiah Wells briefly laid his gloves down in the octagon after the win, hinting at retirement, but has since said he could continue fighting if he reaches the top 15 or gets another appealing matchup.