Ex-WWE star Stevenson set for UFC debut on McGregor undercard

The build-up to UFC 329: McGregor vs. Holloway 2 will naturally focus on the return of the Notorious One. Five years since his career was derailed by a serious leg break during a bout against Dustin Poirier, the UFC’s biggest and most divisive star is finally heading back into the Octagon. 

There’s another name on the card that deserves some special attention, too. Making his UFC debut is Olympic gold medalist, two-time NCAA Division I national champion, and ex-WWE superstar Gable Steveson. He’ll be taking on Elisha Ellison on the UFC 329 undercard. 

Steveson has opened as overwhelming -3200 favorite at traditional sportsbooks, with the best prices likely to be available on prediction markets. To see the recommendations from Action Network, the most trusted source for sports betting insights and analytics, click here. 

The anticipation for Steveson’s debut is high, and it’s easy to see why he deserves a part of the spotlight that’s otherwise focused on McGregor and Holloway. With his record to date, Steveson has the potential to become the UFC’s most successful ex-WWE star ever. 

Steveson his own man, but comparisons to Lesnar unavoidable

Pro wrestling was never a natural fit for Steveson. Unlike fellow Olympic gold medalist Kurt Angle, or 2012 Olympian Chad Gable, he never quite took to the sports entertainment world. After a high profile signing announcement in 2021, he was quietly released in 2024. 

After an attempt to turn his skills to football never materialized, with Steveson being released three months into a three-year contract with the Buffalo Bills, he turned his attention fully to MMA. 

Since debuting in September 2025, it’s impossible to say Steveson has been anything other than impressive. He has three wins, all by first round stoppages, and even won within 15 seconds of his Dirty Boxing debut. A large part of this is down to Jon Jones, who has been training Steveson since he pivoted full time to MMA. A large part of this training has been teaching the wrestler how to punch. 

This improved striking is important, as it will differentiate Steveson from the man he’s always going to be compared with: former UFC Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar. 

The two were both dominant college wrestlers at Minnesota, with Lesnar famously returning to train with Steveson in 2019. At the time, Steveson was a 20-0 undefeated freshman. Both tried their hand at the NFL after WWE too, with Lesnar trying out for the Minnesota Vikings. After UFC 329, both will have competed inside the Octagon.

There is one key difference between the two, though, and that is striking. While Lesnar could unleash a brutal ground and pound, he was never a natural when stood up. This problem was only exaggerated after Lesnar’s diverticulitis diagnosis, when his body became a target alongside his chin. Eventually, the condition forced Lesnar away from the UFC entirely.

For Steveson, things can be different. Alongside his elite wrestling background, he’s clearly more comfortable trading strikes. His three wins by KO/TKO, plus his Dirty Boxing jaunt, show a massive difference to Lesnar. 

If Steveson’s striking holds up against UFC-level opponents, he could well be the total package. However, first he has to prove it, and that could be tougher than the betting sites are predicting.

Ellison the underdog, but not to be overlooked

With the focus on Steveson’s debut, it can be easy to forget that Elisha Ellison is a very credible threat, and has plenty to prove for himself. He has a 5-2 MMA record, though took a heavy loss to Brando Pericic last time out in his UFC debut. 

A US Army veteran and former police office, Ellison had enjoyed a meteoric rise through the MMA world. He signed with the UFC after going 5-1 at lower levels, though his momentum was halted following his defeat at UFC Fight Night 260. 

Ellison has regrouped since then. He’s moved to Arizona to train with Javier Torres at Ultimate Kombat Training Center, working alongside UFC heavyweight contender Waldo Cortes-Acosta. This is all with an aim to improving his striking, which he intends to use against Steveson. 

Ellison knows he can’t compete with Steveson when it comes to wrestling, and so wants to throw punches to keep Steveson from taking him down. 

However, this could also give Gable Steveson the perfect opportunity to show that he has UFC-level striking abilities, and the chin to go with it. If he does, the UFC heavyweight division should watch out.