Gable Steveson Delivers Fireworks in Electric UFC Debut

Gable Steveson (4-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) entered this year with hopes that he'd be competing in MMA's No. 1 promotion at some point in 2026. In February, ahead of his appearance during MFL 3 from Mexico Fight League, the former Olympic wrestler mentioned in an interview with Brett Okamoto that a UFC debut would be in the offing with a win versus Hugo Lezama.

"I think they're keeping their tabs," Steveson said at the time. "I don't know. You'd hope they be watching closely, but I know they are, just me being humble."

The following Thursday night, Gable Steveson finished Lezama inside the first round with punches to run his pro MMA record to 3-0. After a wrestling match in RAF against Alexandr Romanov in late May ended in a victory by way of technical fall, his attention turned to his UFC debut in UFC 329.  

Gable Steveson Pours it On After Medical Timeout vs. Elisha Ellison

Elisha Ellison (5-3 MMA, 0-2 UFC) served as Gable Steveson's adversary in his UFC debut on Saturday evening inside T-Mobile Arena. Steveson made his first walk in MMA's No. 1 promotion during the co-featured bout on Saturday night's undercard.

During the first round of an advertised three inside the Octagon at T-Mobile Arena, the action was momentarily halted due to Steveson landing an accidental groin shot on Ellison. While the latter was given time to recover from the low blow, it did little to affect the outcome of the contest.

Upon the resumption of the fight, Gable Steveson went right back to work, scoring with a barrage of shots, including a critical left hook and a knee strike, to stun his opponent. After knocking Ellison down to the canvas with a left hand, referee Marc Godard had seen everything he needed to see and called the bout in the debutante's favor.

Gable Steveson Knows He's Just Getting Started

After his win, Gable Steveson spoke to Joe Rogan inside the Octagon, recalling his earlier appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience earlier on in the year.

"You know, last time I spoke to you, I was on a podcast about six months ago," Gable Steveson began. "I told you in a few months, you'd do my interview, so I'm honored to be here. Thank you."

Saturday's co-featured prelim was Steveson's fourth professional MMA appearance and his first in the UFC. Despite this, the rookie heavyweight wasn't fazed by the higher stakes the top promotion brings.

"It's a big stage," he continued. "So many people watching, like I said, I'm honored. Once in a lifetime opportunity."

Although Steveson has a UFC win on his resume now, he says that this victory serves as only the beginning for his tenure in the promotion.

"I'm a great athlete, I'm a great person," Gable Steveson mentioned. "I can go out there and do special things, as you can see."

Gable Steveson Has Sights Set on Madison Square Garden Bout

From there, Steveson went backstage to meet with the assembled media on press row. With a victory at T-Mobile Arena now secured, he's hoping to make his second walk at an even more iconic venue.

"If it means something fast and it comes quick, I would love to," he said of a short turnaround for his second UFC fight. "I think MSG is in November. MSG would be amazing to go out there in Madison Square Garden. The last time I was at MSG, Jon Jones spinning back kicked Stipe, so it would be cool to keep that legacy going in Madison Square Garden."