Gable Steveson scores brutal KO in UFC debut without a takedown

Olympic wrestling champion Gable Steveson won his UFC debut with a first-round knockout at UFC 329 on Saturday night, finishing Elisha Ellison without attempting a single successful takedown.

MMA Mania reports that Steveson opened the heavyweight bout at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas with a barrage of front kicks to the body before unleashing a series of heavy punches that dropped Ellison. The finish came despite an early guillotine threat that waved off Steveson's first wrestling attempt and a brief low blow stoppage that paused the frantic action.

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How Steveson's striking stunned the doubters

Steveson entered the cage as a massive -4000 betting favorite but surprised observers by abandoning his world-class grappling entirely. Both fighters landed hard shots in the opening exchanges, with Ellison throwing wild counters and a big elbow in an effort to survive. Steveson kept returning to a punishing front kick — a weapon observers credited to his training sessions with heavyweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">light heavyweight champion Jon Jones — before the final flurry put Ellison on the canvas.

The 24-year-old's aggressive approach and raw athleticism overwhelmed his opponent even as Ellison refused to fold quietly. Steveson's ability to finish without leaning on his wrestling credentials suggests a higher ceiling than many expected in his transition to mixed martial arts.

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Steveson's next assignment has not been announced. UFC 329 continues Sunday morning with the main event between Conor McGregor and Max Holloway.

Reported via:

• MMA Mania — Highlights! Olympic wrestler Gable Steveson scores vicious KO without landing a single takedown | UFC 329