Jeremiah Wells: UFC Won't Promote Me Because of My Age

Jeremiah Wells says he believes the UFC is reluctant to promote him because of his age, and he's warning he'll walk away from the sport if the promotion doesn't push him toward a top-15 welterweight ranking next.

Wells pulled off a come-from-behind submission win over Myktybek Orolbai at UFC 330 in Philadelphia on Saturday, improving to 14-4-1 overall and 5-2 inside the octagon, his second straight victory. Instead of celebrating quietly, the Philadelphia native used his post-fight platform, including a moment in the cage with Joe Rogan, to make it clear he wants a run at the rankings or he's done.

Why Wells Thinks the UFC Is Overlooking Him

Wells laid out his frustration bluntly when speaking with reporters backstage, including Cageside Press, after the win. Wells suggested the UFC wasn't keen on promoting him as a soon-to-be 40-year old. "To be honest, I do want to come back, but if I'm not going to go forward, then I don't. I'm a talented fighter. I just, because of my age, I feel like they don't want to promote me or my fights," he said, adding "because I'm not really talkative. But I can be talkative, or hire someone to help me, whatever. I'll start spitting my sh*t."

He isn't buying into the idea that his age should slow him down. "My 40 is 33. I'm a different type of 40," he said. "Nobody is like me. I'm unique. I end up training with all these young guys and they are like 'oh my god, what's your age? I thought you were my age.' No, I'm just blessed, I'm blessed by the hand of god."

On the terms he's setting for his own future, Wells was direct. "I've got enough time, I've got a couple more years to do this. If they see something in me and they want to let me go further, I'll stay. Otherwise I'll just hang it up. And this will be a better place to hang it up than any other city."

Wells also used the moment to send a personal message to his son, who wasn't able to attend the card at the Xfinity Mobile Arena. "I'm always going to be proud of you, no matter what. There's going to be hard times, there's going to be good times, but just embrace it all and live your life to the fullest, and everything will work out for you," he said.

What a Top-15 Push Would Mean for Wells

A win streak alone hasn't been enough to get Wells into the welterweight rankings conversation, and that's the real tension here. He's riding back-to-back victories and sitting well above.500 in the UFC, the kind of resume that usually earns a fighter a ranked opponent next. If the promotion books him against a top-15 name, it would be the clearest signal yet that his ultimatum worked and it would also make him a live betting proposition against tougher competition than he's typically drawn as a veteran gatekeeper. If instead he's routed back into another unranked matchup, Wells has all but said he'll consider retirement, which would close the book on one of the more durable careers on the welterweight roster without a defined signature win at the top of the division.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who did Jeremiah Wells beat at UFC 330?

Jeremiah Wells earned a come-from-behind submission win over Myktybek Orolbai at UFC 330 in Philadelphia, improving to 14-4-1 overall and 5-2 in the UFC.

Why does Jeremiah Wells think the UFC doesn't want to promote him?

Jeremiah Wells said he believes his age, he's nearing 40, is the reason the UFC hasn't pushed him toward bigger fights or marketing, and he says he's willing to become more vocal to change that.

Will Jeremiah Wells retire from the UFC?

Jeremiah Wells said he wants a shot at cracking the welterweight top 15 next, and suggested he could hang up his gloves in his hometown of Philadelphia if the UFC doesn't move him in that direction.