Oban Elliott’s Dream Comes True at Madison Square Garden
Oban Elliott’s dream of fighting at Madison Square Garden (MSG) is finally becoming a reality. At just 13 years old, the Welshman watched Jon Jones dominate Shogun Rua at UFC 128, sparking his ambition to one day fight in the UFC. Fast forward 13 years, and Elliott, now 26, is preparing for a major fight on the same night as his idol Jon Jones, who is headlining UFC 309 against Stipe Miocic.
“I’m going to be backstage at the weigh-ins with him,” said Elliott. “I’m fighting on the Jon Jones card. Do you know how mad that is?”
Elliott’s Ambition and UFC Journey
Elliott, who hails from Merthyr Tydfil, has quickly made a name for himself in the UFC. After his unanimous decision win over Preston Parsons in July, he made it clear that he wanted to be part of the UFC 309 card. “If you’ve put me on UFC 298 and UFC 304, why not chuck me on the Jon Jones card as well?” Elliott said. His persistence paid off, and now he is set to fight Bassil Hafez at the iconic venue.
Hafez, a formidable opponent who recently faced Jack Della Maddalena, will test Elliott’s skills in what promises to be his toughest UFC test to date. However, Elliott is undeterred, ready to prove himself in the sport he loves.
Reflecting on a Long Journey
At just 13 years old, Oban Elliott’s UFC journey began after watching Jon Jones defeat Mauricio “Shogun” Rua at UFC 128. That fight inspired him to pursue a career in mixed martial arts (MMA). Now, 13 years later, Elliott is preparing for his debut in Madison Square Garden, the venue where so many legendary moments in combat sports have occurred.
The young fighter has not only achieved his dream of fighting in the UFC, but he’s also reached another milestone by fighting on the same card as Jon Jones, a fighter widely regarded as one of the greatest of all time.
“I’m going to be backstage at the weigh-ins with him,” said Elliott, reflecting on the surreal opportunity. “Do you know how mad that is?”
Elliott’s Determination to Succeed
Jones is set to defend his heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic at UFC 309, a fight that could mark the end of Jones’ illustrious career. However, Elliott, who is still in the early stages of his UFC journey, is looking to make his mark and prove he belongs on the biggest stages in the sport.
“I feel proud of myself to be fighting in New York, but I’m also not surprised,” Elliott said. “It’s my first year in the UFC, and we’re going to go all the way.”
Elliott’s ambition is unmatched. He’s already made history by being the first Welshman to fight on three UFC pay-per-view cards, a testament to his skill and determination. His upcoming fight against Bassil Hafez promises to be one of his toughest challenges yet, but Elliott’s confidence remains unwavering.
A Personal Motivation Behind the Dream
In addition to his dedication to MMA, Elliott carries a deeply personal motivation. His father, Paul, introduced him to combat sports at a young age, and despite Paul’s tragic passing when Elliott was just seven years old, the young fighter continues to honor his memory. A tattoo in tribute to his father serves as a constant reminder of the challenges he’s overcome.
“To get the fight in MSG, I just like to think back to all those hard times I went through,” said Elliott. “Where I am now, nobody can take my body of work away from me.”
