LAS VEGAS – Gable Steveson steps into the UFC octagon Saturday at UFC 329. The Olympic gold medalist, once a brief Buffalo Bills hopeful, faces Elisha Ellison. The hype is immense. The doubts are real.
Steveson’s journey to the UFC is anything but typical. After a short stint on the Bills’ practice squad, he pivoted to MMA. His signing with the UFC placed him on the high-profile International Fight Week card, a slot usually reserved for established names. The question now: Is he a generational talent or a calculated risk?
The Matchup: Steveson vs. Ellison
Steveson (3-0 MMA) enters as a massive favorite. Ellison (5-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC) has more professional MMA experience. Steveson’s wrestling pedigree is elite. His striking and cardio remain unproven at the UFC level. At 28, he is not young for a prospect. The pressure is on.
| Fighter | MMA Record | UFC Record | Key Strength | Key Question |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gable Steveson | 3-0 | 0-0 | Olympic-level wrestling | Striking, cardio, competition level |
| Elisha Ellison | 5-2 | 0-1 | Experience, durability | Wrestling defense, finishing ability |
The Jon Jones Connection & The Cormier Paradox
Steveson trains with UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones. He is “team Jones forever.” But in a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Steveson admitted he would also love to train with Daniel Cormier, Jones’ longtime rival. “I’m team Jones forever,” Steveson said. “But I’d love to hit the mats with DC.” This dual allegiance highlights a pragmatic approach to skill development, but it also risks alienating his primary mentor. Jones and Cormier’s history is bitter.
Future Fights: The Josh Hokit Scenario
A potential fight against fellow wrestler Josh Hokit has been floated. Steveson’s advice was blunt: Hokit should drop to 205 pounds. “Moving to 205 would be a great decision,” Steveson told MMA Fighting. This suggests Steveson sees himself as a permanent heavyweight, not needing to cut weight. It also signals he views Hokit as a stylistic mismatch at heavyweight.
The Heavyweight Division’s Next Big Risk
The hype is backed by Olympic gold. The reality is backed by a 3-0 record against low-level competition. Steveson’s path to contender status is clear: dominate Ellison, then face a ranked opponent. A loss would be catastrophic, shifting the narrative from “next big thing” to “cautionary tale.” The UFC is betting on the former. Saturday will provide the first real data point.
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: What is Gable Steveson’s UFC debut matchup?
- A: Gable Steveson faces Elisha Ellison at UFC 329 in Las Vegas. Steveson (3-0 MMA) is a heavy favorite, while Ellison (5-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC) brings more professional experience.
- Q: Why is Gable Steveson considered a risk in the UFC?
- A: Despite Olympic gold in wrestling, Steveson’s striking and cardio remain unproven at the UFC level. At 28, he is older for a prospect, and his brief NFL stint raises questions about focus and durability.
- Q: Who does Gable Steveson train with for his UFC debut?
- A: Steveson trains with UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones but has expressed interest in also training with Daniel Cormier, Jones’ longtime rival, showing a pragmatic approach to skill development.
Extended Reading
For more on Steveson’s NFL-to-UFC transition, see Grant Gordon’s report for NFL.com. For his comments on Cormier and Jones, read Farah Hannoun’s piece on MMA Junkie. For the Hokit fight details, refer to MMA Fighting’s original reporting.