Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson is set for a heavily favored promotional debut when he meets Elisha Ellison in a heavyweight prelim at UFC 329 on Saturday at T-Mobile Arena.
Steveson enters his first UFC appearance with a 3-0 MMA record, while Ellison brings a 5-2 mark and experience from one prior UFC bout. According to BestFightOdds, Steveson is a -2166 betting favorite on average across major online sportsbooks and prediction markets.
"This is a perfect debut opponent for me," Steveson said, while making sure to credit Ellison for accepting the matchup. "All respect to Elisha for taking this matchup. I come out there, and like I said, treat everybody the same whether it's Derrick Lewis or Josh Hokit,Tom Aspinallor Ciryl Gane. But my matchup Saturday is what I'm looking forward to, and that's all."
Steveson, who previously competed as an Olympic gold medalist, standout wrestler, professional wrestler with WWE, and NFL tryout athlete, said his approach remains simple regardless of the stage. "It doesn't matter to me," he said. "I come to show up and do the best thing I ever possibly do, and that's win. That's all that matters to me."
Steveson entered MMA with significant hype due to his accomplishments in wrestling, professional wrestling, and football tryouts, and some observers have said he could compete with the upper echelon of the UFC heavyweight division.
