Augusta, GA

‘It feels incredible to be something’: Augusta boxer gets UFC contract

Published

1 year ago

August 30, 2024

Press Room

‘It feels incredible to be something’: Augusta boxer gets UFC contract

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – It didn’t take long for Augusta’s Malcolm Wellmaker to find his way back to the gym.

Landing less than 24 hours ago, the newly minted UFC fighter was ready to hit the bag.

“It feels incredible to be something that I thought was so huge when I was a kid but to be able to take it and be a part of their lives personally, to be able to impact them personally, to be able to motivate them, to show them it can be done. It’s not just a guy on a poster, you know? It’s a dream come true,” said Wellmaker.

In two minutes on center stage in Vegas, Wellmaker went from the guy who studied to the one they’ll study.

“I watched him drop to the ground, I immediately knew my work was done. You know, it was this huge relief. It was this huge contentment,” he said.

It was a knockout that would knock out his future plans.

“I already had the construction job going. I had piping going for myself. I could have made a good living traveling the road, making money like that. I had people tell me, you know, that that’s the route I should take and not to waste my time with fighting,” said Wellmaker.

Wellmaker was 22 when he started training. Now, he’s 8 years stronger.

“Dana White told me it was time to get busy,” he said. “They could give me a fight next month. I could take it, and then if I do good, I can fight that next month again.”

Former local baseball coach Terry Holder

He’s the next name from Augusta to hit the UFC.

“Winning and getting a UFC contract, and being from Augusta, and putting so much focus on Augusta, is to hopefully, you know, inspire a lot of young athletes to pursue the dream of being in the UFC knowing that it can be done,” said Wellmaker.

Forrest Griffin from Evans took the UFC by storm in the 2000s. His name is now in the Hall of Fame.

Through Wellmaker’s contract, his requirement is to fight three times over a 12-month period.

While this has changed his life overnight, he’s still working as a pipefitter.

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Augusta, GA

FBI agents identify chemical used in Georgia acid attack

Published

60 minutes ago

January 12, 2026

Press Room

FBI agents identify chemical used in Georgia acid attack

SAVANNAH, Ga. — The FBI agents have confirmed that they’ve identified the chemical used in a Georgia acid attack.

Just last month, Ashley Wasielewski was walking around Forsyth Park in Savannah when a man hiding in the shadows near Whitaker Street suddenly came out and attacked Wasielewski with an unknown chemical substance.

Despite the hardship she’s been through and that lies ahead, Ashley Wasielewski is smiling in a photo from her hospital bed.(Contributed)

Sources close to the investigation say that liquid melted through Wasielewski’s clothing and headphones and left her with severe burns.

On Friday, the FBI released that they now know what that substance was but are not releasing the name of the substance to the public at this time.

FBI officials say that SLED assisted and did the testing on behalf of the the organization.

Agents are also following up on leads now that the substance has been identified.

Just days after the attack, more than $260,000 had been raised for Wasielewski, who was recovering at a burn center in Augusta.

One of Ashley’s friends, Kristen Oddi organized a GoFundMe to help pay for Wasielewski’s extensive medical care.

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Augusta, GA

Another name joins Augusta mayor race

Published

13 hours ago

January 11, 2026

Press Room

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Augusta mayor race now has three candidates as another person has announced their candidacy.

Eric Gaines, who’s on the charter review committee and is a local real estate investor, announced on Sunday that he is running for mayor on Sunday.

He said in a Facebook post that his campaign is built on a simple idea: People before politics.

Transparent leadership you do not have to decode.
Accessible government that listens instead of lectures.
Decisions based on what actually improves lives not what protects careers.

“I’m not running because someone tapped me on the shoulder. I’m not running because a political machine told me it was my turn. And I’m definitely not running because I raised a mountain of cash behind closed doors,” he said.

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Augusta, GA

Georgia Lt. Gov candidate Rep. David Clark visits Augusta

Published

1 day ago

January 11, 2026

Press Room

Georgia Lt. Gov candidate Rep. David Clark visits Augusta

Georgia Lt. Gov candidate state Rep. David Clark made a stop in Augusta Saturday. He says that some of his priorities if he wins include expanding school choice, eliminating the state income and property taxes, and reaching out to younger voters.

Clark is also an Army veteran, who served overseas. He hopes to represent all Georgians.

“Before politics and parties we’re Americans, we’re Georgians. That’s the biggest thing. People want someone who stands up and listens to people,” said Clark.

“I’m not saying we’re always going to agree, but in the end—we’re the American family, we’re the Georgian family.”

The Georgia primary will take place on May 19th, and the general election will be on November 3rd.

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