UFC 329 Prelims: Gable Steveson smashes Elisha Ellison in promotional debut

Gable Steveson, the five-time NCAA All-American wrestler and 2020 Olympic gold medalist, made a dominant UFC debut at UFC 329, dismantling Elisha Ellison with punches and knees just 2:31 into the first round of their preliminary bout at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday. Steveson (4-0, 1-0 UFC) dispensed with any cautious feeling-out phase, instead engaging Ellison in a heated firefight from the opening bell. He attacked with front kicks to the body and power punches to the head while advancing through return fire, eventually closing the distance midway through the round to unleash a barrage of close-range strikes that sent Ellison crashing to the canvas.

The prelims card featured several other notable finishes. Robert Whittaker, winner of "The Ultimate Fighter: The Smashes," moved up to light heavyweight and stopped former Fight Nights Global champion Nikita Krylov with punches 61 seconds into the third round, extending his winning streak across three different UFC weight classes. Adrian Yanez of Metro Fight Club defeated former bantamweight title challenger Cody Garbrandt with first-round punches at 2:47, marking Yanez's first win in over two years. Luke Riley improved to 14-0 as a professional by finishing Kai Kamaka III with punches and knees at 3:03 of Round 1, while Nova Uniao prospect Damian Pinas stopped Cesar Almeida with a devastating right cross and follow-up hammerfists at 4:44.

Ryan Gandra recorded his seventh career first-round finish by knocking out Zachary Reese with a counter left hook at 1:15 of the opening stanza, extending his winning streak to nine fights. Alessandro Costa, fighting on short notice, submitted Cody Durden with a rear-naked choke 2:19 into the second round. In decision victories, undefeated bantamweight Farid Basharat edged John Garza 30-27, 30-27, 29-28 across three rounds, while Cong Wang defeated Tracy Cortez in women's flyweight action via unanimous decision on scores of 29-27, 29-27, 29-27.