Gable Steveson wins UFC 329 debut by first-round TKO

Olympic gold medalist wrestler Gable Steveson made a dominant and successful debut in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, stopping Elisha Ellison with strikes in the first round of their heavyweight bout at UFC 329 on Saturday, July 11, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The highly anticipated debut saw Steveson, a five-time NCAA All-American and 2020 Olympic champion, showcase a diverse striking attack to secure a technical knockout victory just two minutes and thirty-one seconds into the fight.

Steveson, 26, bypassed a feeling-out process and immediately engaged Ellison in a firefight. He utilized front kicks to the body and powerful punches, walking through his opponent's return fire. After closing the distance midway through the round, Steveson landed a series of close-range punches and knee strikes that ultimately caused Ellison to collapse, prompting the referee's stoppage. The win improved Steveson's professional mixed martial arts record to 4-0.

The victory was a significant first step for one of the sport's most hyped prospects. Renowned coach Greg Jackson, whose trainees include former champion Jon Jones, stated that Steveson has the material to become a champion, citing...