Ko Seok-hyeon (right) emerged from the same path as Oban Elliott in Dana White's contender series South Korea's Ko Seok-hyeon beat Welshman Oban Elliott via a unanimous 30-27 decision at the UFC Fight Night in Baku, Azerbaijan on Saturday. Ko - making his UFC debut - produced a dominant display featuring several submissions throughout the three rounds, with the 31-year keeping Elliott grounded for long periods. Elliott, nicknamed 'The Welsh Gangster', has now suffered his first defeat since making his UFC debut in February 2024. He was originally set to fight on 31 May at UFC Fight Night in Las Vegas against Ramiz Brahimaj. That bout was cancelled because of visa issues, but the UFC moved swiftly to keep the 27-year-old active, rescheduling him for this weekend's card. The Welshman entered the contest with a 3-0 UFC record thanks to a knockout win over Bassil Hafez at UFC 309 in November and unanimous decision victories over Preston Parsons and Val Woodburn. Elliott trained across Europe with some of the sport's elite fighters to prepare for the bout. But it was not sufficient against the opponent known as 'The Korean Tyson', who came into his UFC debut with an impressive 11-2 record.
Elliott beaten by dominant Ko in Baku UFC bout
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"Ko Seok-hyeon Defeats Oban Elliott in UFC Fight Night Debut in Baku"
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TruthLens AI Summary
In a significant matchup at UFC Fight Night in Baku, Azerbaijan, Ko Seok-hyeon made a remarkable impact in his UFC debut by defeating Welsh fighter Oban Elliott. Ko secured a unanimous decision victory with a score of 30-27, showcasing his grappling skills and dominance throughout the three-round contest. The fight highlighted Ko's ability to control the pace, as he frequently kept Elliott grounded and threatened with submissions. This performance not only marked Ko's entrance into the UFC but also demonstrated his readiness to compete at the highest level, coming into the fight with a strong background of 11 wins and 2 losses prior to joining the promotion. Elliott, known as 'The Welsh Gangster', faced a tough challenge in this bout, which ultimately resulted in his first loss since his own UFC debut in February 2024.
Elliott, who had previously maintained an undefeated record of 3-0 in the UFC, prepared extensively for this fight, training with elite fighters across Europe. His winning streak included a notable knockout victory over Bassil Hafez and unanimous decision wins against Preston Parsons and Val Woodburn. Originally slated to fight Ramiz Brahimaj at UFC Fight Night in Las Vegas on May 31, Elliott's bout was canceled due to visa issues, but the UFC quickly rescheduled him for this event to keep him active. Despite his rigorous training and previous successes, Elliott was unable to overcome the tactical prowess and effective groundwork displayed by Ko. The outcome of this fight not only marks a significant milestone for Ko Seok-hyeon but also serves as a reminder of the challenges that come with competing in the UFC, especially for fighters looking to maintain their records against formidable opponents.
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