TLDR
- Ethyn Ewing defeated Rafael Estevam via third-round TKO at UFC Vegas 115 on April 4, 2026
- The body shot finish marked Ewing’s second consecutive UFC win against an undefeated opponent
- Ewing improved his professional record to 10-2 while Estevam suffered his first career loss
- The 28-year-old bantamweight became a father one month after his previous UFC victory
- Ewing stated he is targeting all undefeated fighters in the bantamweight division
Sources: sherdog.com | mmajunkie.usatoday.com | cagesidepress.com
Ethyn Ewing has made a habit of ending undefeated records. On April 4, 2026, the 28-year-old bantamweight from Anaheim Hills, California finished Rafael Estevam with a devastating body shot at UFC Vegas 115.
The TKO came at 1:44 of the third round at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas. Estevam, who missed weight before the fight, entered the bout with a 14-0 record but left as the latest victim of Ewing’s momentum.
Ewing dominated from start to finish. He moved around Estevam throughout the fight, staying one step ahead of the Brazilian and landing damage consistently until the final body punch shut down his opponent completely.
The victory improved Ewing’s record to 10-2 overall and 2-0 in the UFC. It marked his second consecutive win against an undefeated opponent following his upset victory over Malcolm Wellmaker at UFC 322 in November 2025.
Ethyn Ewing with another SLICK performance 🔥👏
Who do you want to see The Professor Finesser fight next? 👀
Get your pipe on with United Felts! pic.twitter.com/nla22GE6He
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) April 6, 2026
Short Notice to Full Camp
Ewing’s win over Wellmaker came on short notice, with many fans viewing it as a potential “fraud check” for the heavily favored Wellmaker. Speaking at UFC Vegas 115 media day earlier in the week, Ewing dismissed that characterization.
“I don’t think it’s a fraud check by any means,” Ewing said. “Nobody on the larger scene, the majority of people didn’t know who I was.”
He described Wellmaker as “a very large individual for the weight class” who “puts people out in a very savage fashion.” However, Ewing’s coaches, teammates and friends knew exactly what he could do.
“I’m a technical boxer, striker, I’m a technical grappler, I’m a mixed martial artist,” Ewing explained. “I’m the best at everything.”
For the Estevam fight, Ewing had a full training camp to prepare. “I have a different opponent in front of me Saturday, and I have prepared above and beyond,” he said before the bout.
Fighting as a New Father
One month after defeating Wellmaker, Ewing’s wife gave birth to their son. The new father balanced training camp with parental responsibilities while on leave from the UFC.
“It’s a lot of extra effort, a lot of extra time spent,” Ewing said. “The moments that I think I get to come home and rest and relax, the wife needs a break.”
Despite calling his son a “little monster,” Ewing described fatherhood as “the greatest thing I’ve ever done.” He said having his baby boy at home was even better than competing at Madison Square Garden.
The added motivation from fatherhood appeared to fuel his preparation. Ewing trains out of CSW Training Center and has compiled seven knockout or TKO victories in his 10 professional wins.
After the victory, Ewing told the UFC broadcast that he plans to continue targeting undefeated fighters in the bantamweight division. He did not call out any specific opponents but made his intentions clear about who he wants to face next.
Ewing has now won four straight fights dating back to January 2023. His only two career losses came against Edwin Cooper Jr. at LFA 94 in October 2020 and Roberto Hernandez at Cage Warriors 133 in March 2022.
