Gable Steveson Enters UFC 329 Debut as -2166 Favorite Against Elisha Ellison

Q: Why did the world's best wrestler abandon his wrestling in his UFC debut?

He did not really abandon wrestling; he simply did not need it. In his UFC debut at UFC 329, Gable Steveson beat Elisha Ellison by first-round TKO in 2:31 because his striking was working, so he chose the fastest route to a finish rather than forcing his wrestling. The fight itself explains the choice. Steveson attempted a takedown along the fence, but Ellison threatened with a choke and stopped it. After that, Steveson stayed upright, landed front kicks, clinch knees, hooks and punches, and overwhelmed Ellison. He outlanded him 41-14 in total strikes and finished the bout without recording a takedown. That approach also fits Steveson’s stated mindset. Before the fight, he said his goal was simply to win and that his “path to victory is any way I desire it to be.” In other words, he was not trying to prove he could wrestle in MMA; he was trying to win in the most effective way available. His preparation helps explain the confidence on the feet. Steveson has been training with Jon Jones and the JacksonWink team, and all four of his professional MMA wins have now come by first-round knockout. So the debut suggested not a rejection of wrestling, but an effort to show he can be a more complete heavyweight threat. Wrestling remains a major asset, but against Ellison, striking was the cleaner answer.

3 articles · Updated · MMA Junkie · Jul 8

Steveson heads into Saturday's UFC 329 heavyweight prelim at T-Mobile Arena as an average -2166 favorite across major sportsbooks and prediction markets, an unusually lopsided line for a UFC debut.
The 3-0 MMA newcomer said the odds do not matter to him, calling Ellison a "perfect debut opponent" and saying he approaches every matchup the same way.
Ellison enters at 5-2 in MMA and 0-1 in the UFC, giving Steveson a promotional debut against a fighter with limited UFC success rather than an established contender.
Steveson's Olympic wrestling gold, WWE stint and NFL tryout have fueled hype that he could rise quickly in the UFC's thin heavyweight division.