Elisha Ellison is leaning into his underdog status ahead of a high-profile matchup with debuting Gable Steveson at UFC 329 on July 11 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Ellison is set to welcome the 2020 Olympic wrestling gold medalist to the UFC, with betting odds listing Steveson as high as a -2500 favorite. Ellison, 5-3 in MMA and 0-1 in the UFC, has relocated from Washington to Arizona for this camp, working with Javier Torres at Ultimate Kombat Training Center and preparing alongside UFC heavyweight contender Waldo Cortes-Acosta and UFC heavyweight Tyrell Fortune.
"I think the thing I was most excited about was the matchup itself and all the hype that Gable has," Ellison said, adding, "Respect to him. He earned it, you know, with his background and accolades, but the opportunity to shock the world is what I'm most excited about."
Ellison dropped his UFC debut by knockout to Brando Pericic at UFC Fight Night 260 earlier this year and referenced "UFC jitters" while reflecting on that performance. "I think because I fought in Perth, I was trying to just act like I've been there and done it before," he said. "I just need to learn to relax, bro. Relax, be myself, and let the game flow."
Now, he’s embracing the long odds. "I do like being an underdog, man," Ellison said. "People are already expecting you to lose, and I have everything to gain... When I shock the world, I'll make everybody shut the hell up."
