Gable Steveson
USA
Predictably cruises in UFC debut
Steveson defeated Elisha Ellison via KO (punches) at 2:31 of Round 1 at UFC 329 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
The former 2020 Olympic Gold Medalist in freestyle wrestling, Steveson made his UFC debut here after signing with the company in April. He was upwards of a -3000 favorite earlier in the week, although the number had dropped to closer to -1500 by fight time. He predictably dominated against a lower-level opponent, which was the point of this entire exercise. Gable looked like a guy that wanted to get some experience inside the octagon. This was, after all, just his fourth professional fight. Steveson turned 26 years of age in May and is getting a bit of a late start to the sport of MMA, but you're talking about the literal top of the food chain here in terms of athletic ability. Expect the improvements on a fight-by-fight basis to be massive for Steveson considering he trains with Greg Jackson, Jon Jones and the crew in New Mexico.
The former 2020 Olympic Gold Medalist in freestyle wrestling, Steveson made his UFC debut here after signing with the company in April. He was upwards of a -3000 favorite earlier in the week, although the number had dropped to closer to -1500 by fight time. He predictably dominated against a lower-level opponent, which was the point of this entire exercise. Gable looked like a guy that wanted to get some experience inside the octagon. This was, after all, just his fourth professional fight. Steveson turned 26 years of age in May and is getting a bit of a late start to the sport of MMA, but you're talking about the literal top of the food chain here in terms of athletic ability. Expect the improvements on a fight-by-fight basis to be massive for Steveson considering he trains with Greg Jackson, Jon Jones and the crew in New Mexico.
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Taking on Ellison
Steveson will face Elisha Ellison in a heavyweight bout at UFC 329 on July 11, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Steveson signed with UFC in April and was already established that he'd be making his promotion debut on July 11, but now the opponent has been revealed. Steveson is 3-0 at the MMA level, but the level of competition will be tougher at the UFC ranks. Ellison is 0-1 at the UFC level, so Steveson might have a shot at debuting with a win if he's able to replicate the form he showed in lower levels in the past.
Steveson signed with UFC in April and was already established that he'd be making his promotion debut on July 11, but now the opponent has been revealed. Steveson is 3-0 at the MMA level, but the level of competition will be tougher at the UFC ranks. Ellison is 0-1 at the UFC level, so Steveson might have a shot at debuting with a win if he's able to replicate the form he showed in lower levels in the past.
Officially signs with UFC
Steveson has signed with the UFC and will fight an unnamed opponent at UFC 329 on July 11 in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
At age 25, Steveson is 3-0 across various regional MMA circuits, with all three victories coming by way of first-round KO/TKO. Make no mistake, however, that wrestling will be the strength of Steveson in the UFC. Steveson is a 2020 Olympic old medalist in freestyle wrestling, and a two-time NCAA Division I National Champion in folkstyle while competing a the University of Minnesota, where he was a five-time All-American. After school, he spent a bit of time with WWE and tried out in the NFL, but now has his sights set on MMA -- he has already linked up with UFC legend Jon Jones as a mentor and training partner. Look for the UFC to take it easy with Steveson early in an effort to build him up and keep an undefeated record for a while (similar to the path given to Bo Nickal), though the long-term hopes are incredibly high. No opponent has yet to be announced for his July 11 fight.
At age 25, Steveson is 3-0 across various regional MMA circuits, with all three victories coming by way of first-round KO/TKO. Make no mistake, however, that wrestling will be the strength of Steveson in the UFC. Steveson is a 2020 Olympic old medalist in freestyle wrestling, and a two-time NCAA Division I National Champion in folkstyle while competing a the University of Minnesota, where he was a five-time All-American. After school, he spent a bit of time with WWE and tried out in the NFL, but now has his sights set on MMA -- he has already linked up with UFC legend Jon Jones as a mentor and training partner. Look for the UFC to take it easy with Steveson early in an effort to build him up and keep an undefeated record for a while (similar to the path given to Bo Nickal), though the long-term hopes are incredibly high. No opponent has yet to be announced for his July 11 fight.