Gable Steveson has already made UFC history before throwing a single punch in the Octagon. The Olympic gold medalist enters his UFC 329 debut this Saturday as the biggest betting favorite ever recorded, closing at -4000 on some markets and shattering the previous record.
Steveson faces Elisha Ellison on the card headlined by Conor McGregor’s return. Oddsmakers have installed the 26-year-old wrestler as a heavier favorite than any fighter in promotional history, a reflection of how the betting market views his pedigree and pairing with an elite camp.
Steveson Passes Bo Nickal For The UFC’s Biggest-Favorite Record
The previous mark belonged to fellow collegiate wrestler Bo Nickal, who closed as a -2500 favorite before beating Val Woodburn at UFC 290. Steveson’s -4000 line clears that number by a wide margin.
Since starting his MMA career last September, Steveson has trained alongside Jon Jones under coach Greg Jackson.
Earlier this week, Jackson hyped his pupil by suggesting the wrestler could redefine what the sport looks like.
Ellison, meanwhile, lost his own UFC debut last September against Brando Pericic. The UFC 329 lineup was recently finalized with Steveson moved to the preliminary card, following the promotion’s announcement of his signing and debut booking.
What Steveson Says Fans Can Expect
Steveson made clear he intends to look different from the typical heavyweight when he steps in this weekend.
I think what people can be excited about for my UFC debut is someone that is new, with new power, a new face, new speed, new techniques to the heavyweight division,” Steveson said on a recent episode of UFC Embedded.
This is probably not the usual heavyweight that you may see, the big and strong ones, this is the new and improved fast and quick ones that are going to change the game, and that starts with me.
Despite the record-setting odds and the outside noise, Steveson will likely need a run of wins before entering the heavyweight title picture. His debut against Ellison goes down Saturday at UFC 329.
