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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 11: (R-L) Gable Steveson strikes Elisha Ellison in a heavyweight fight during the UFC 329 event at T-Mobile Arena on July 11, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
Gable Steveson made an emphatic first impression as the future of the heavyweight division laid waste to Elisha Ellison in his debut at UFC 329.
The Olympic gold medalist in wrestling only shot for a single takedown but that didn’t stop him from throwing a barrage of strikes in an entertaining fight for as long as it lasted. Steveson eventually found his opening with a left hand that rattled Ellison and from there the 26-year-old phenom just unloaded shots until his opponent crumbled to the canvas.
The end came at 2:31 in the opening round with Steveson moving to 4-0 in his young career and 1-0 in the UFC.
THAT'S HOW YOU MAKE A DEBUT
Gable Steveson shows out on the biggest stage with the first round KO!
[ #UFC329 | LIVE ON @ParamountPlus ] pic.twitter.com/cEg4CJTyuw
— UFC on Paramount+ (@UFConParamount) July 12, 2026
“I’m honored to be here, thank you,” Steveson said after his win. “It’s fun. It’s a big stage. Time will tell [what’s next for me], I’m a great athlete, I’m a great person. Time will tell that story.”
The heavyweights were trading bombs to open the fight with Steveson throwing a variety of kicks — including a few to the knees courtesy of his coach Jon Jones — before shooting for his first takedown. Ellison countered effectively with a guillotine choke attempt, which forced Steveson to abandon his wrestling momentarily.
On the restart after a pause in the action due to a low blow, Steveson went for the kill as he blasted Ellison with a brutal left hand and several knees up the middle. Ellison fired back with an elbow that backed Steveson off but the two-time NCAA champion wasn’t done yet.
Steveson came back at him with an explosive left hand that rattled Ellison again and this time he just kept unloading shots in succession. Ellison finally melted to the canvas and Steveson unleashed one more hellacious punch that officially finished the fight.
Steveson is one of the most decorated athletes to join the UFC roster and he may be the best prospect at heavyweight since Jones came to the promotion several years ago. The sky is the limit with Steveson injecting some much needed excitement into the heavyweight division.
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