Gable Steveson Prepares for UFC Debut at UFC 329 After 3-Game Bills Stint

Q: Billed as a generational talent, why is Gable Steveson's UFC debut taking place on the preliminary card?

Gable Steveson is on the preliminary card because, despite the hype, this is still his UFC debut and the matchup is being treated as a controlled introduction rather than a marquee, competitive main-card fight. The UFC often starts even elite prospects on the prelims so they can prove themselves in the Octagon before being elevated. Steveson has an Olympic gold medal, NCAA titles and a 3-0 MMA start, but he has not yet fought in the UFC. That matters in matchmaking and card placement, especially in a sport where regional success does not automatically answer questions about how a newcomer handles UFC pace, pressure and experience. His opponent also helps explain the slot. Elisha Ellison is widely viewed as a manageable first test, and analysts have described the bout as more of a showcase than a high-stakes contest. Steveson is the biggest betting favorite in UFC history, which suggests the UFC expects him to win decisively but is not yet presenting the fight as a top-tier divisional matchup. The card itself is another factor. UFC 329 is stacked, headlined by McGregor vs. Holloway 2 and supported by established names such as Paddy Pimblett, Benoit Saint Denis, Cory Sandhagen and Brandon Royval. With limited main-card space, a debuting heavyweight prospect—even one billed as generational—fits more naturally on the prelims. In short, the placement reflects UFC strategy: build Steveson carefully, give him a winnable first assignment, and let him earn bigger spots from there.

Q: Could a former police officer with knockout power pull off the biggest betting upset in UFC history tonight?

Yes — if anyone is positioned to author that upset tonight, it is Elisha Ellison. Ellison, 29, is a former police officer and retired military member with real stopping power: he is 5-2 as a pro, with four knockout wins and five first-round finishes overall. He has openly framed this fight as a chance to “shock the world,” and at heavyweight, one clean punch can erase even a massive talent gap. That said, the evidence still strongly favors Gable Steveson. Steveson is 3-0 in MMA with three first-round stoppages, owns an Olympic gold medal and two NCAA Division I titles, and is being developed by Jon Jones, Greg Jackson and Brandon Gibson. He opened around -3200, making him the biggest betting favorite in UFC history, and most analysts view Ellison as a manageable debut opponent rather than a true 50-50 threat. The path for Ellison is narrow but obvious: survive the early wrestling pressure, force Steveson into uncomfortable exchanges, and land before Steveson settles into top control. Steveson has elite pedigree, but this is still his UFC debut, and heavyweight debuts can turn chaotic quickly. So, could a former police officer with knockout power pull it off? Absolutely. Is it likely? No. Ellison has the kind of one-punch chance that makes heavyweight MMA dangerous for favorites, but anything short of a perfectly timed finish leaves Steveson as the overwhelming pick.

3 articles · Updated · NFL.com · Jul 12

Gable Steveson enters Saturday's UFC 329 undercard in Las Vegas for his first UFC fight, facing Elisha Ellison in a three-round heavyweight bout during International Fight Week.
The 26-year-old says MMA was always the long-term plan after detours through WWE and a 2024 Buffalo Bills experiment that ended before the final roster.
Steveson's football tryout still underscored his athletic range: he played 3 preseason games, recording 3 tackles and 2 quarterback hits despite never playing high school football.
In MMA, Steveson arrives with a 3-0 record and only 5 minutes 52 seconds of cage time, all first-round stoppages, while coach Greg Jackson and Jon Jones have fueled expectations around his ceiling.
That buildup reflects Steveson's unusual path from 2020 Olympic wrestling gold medalist to heavily favored UFC heavyweight prospect fighting beneath the McGregor-Holloway 2 main event.