Gable Steveson recaps UFC 329 victory: ‘I wanted him to feel pain’

Gable Steveson reflected on his successful Octagon debut at UFC
329. | 📷: Getty/UFC

Ultimate Fighting Championship newcomer Gable
Steveson wanted Elisha
Ellison to feel “pressure” and “pain” at
UFC 329 in Las Vegas.

The U.S. Olympic gold medalist wrestler finished the fight against
Ellison via TKO at the 2:31 mark of their heavyweight clash at UFC
329. Following his debut Octagon win, Steveson discussed his
intentions going into the bout.

Gable Steveson’s UFC debut ends with first-round TKO win over
Elisha Ellison

Steveson went into the contest as one of the biggest betting
favorites in UFC history. His performance reflected as much, as he
put away Ellison in the opening round. He out-landed his opponent
41-14 in total strikes.

“See, I wanted Elisha Ellison to feel that pressure; I wanted him
to feel pain. I wanted to go out there and make him quit,” Steveson
said after his win. “And I knew when Elisha Ellison got hit hard,
he would fall down. And he did fall down.”

Steveson is already one of the most decorated wrestlers in U.S.
history, with two NCAA Division I titles in addition to his gold
medal at the Tokyo Olympics. All four of his MMA victories have
come through first-round knockout.