Oban Elliott Expresses Profound Gratitude for UFC 309 Performance

British welterweight Oban Elliott, who secured his place in the UFC via Dana White’s Contender Series, expressed profound gratitude, stating he was “insanely grateful” for what he described as his “big crowning moment” at Madison Square Garden. Known as ‘The Welsh Gangster’, Elliott concluded a remarkable inaugural year in the UFC by achieving a third-round TKO victory against Bassil Hafez in New York during November. This achievement led to Elliott receiving a performance of the night bonus and solidified his position within the promotion through the signing of a new contract. The 27-year-old emphasized the significance of patience, noting that his third victory of the year occurred on his third pay-per-view event. Elliott stated, “On a card with the heavyweight championship of the world, the second highest grossing event in MSG history, fourth highest gate in UFC history, I stood out as performance of the night on that card.” He further commented, “I had to be grateful to be there, patient with the process, rather than rush looking to stand out.” Elliott added, “It was inevitable that I was eventually going to stand out on one of these cards and I stood out on UFC 309.” Elliott expressed his excitement at making a significant impact at the event. He remarked, “The money means absolutely nothing to me, it couldn’t mean less, it’s the performance of the night on a night like that, that means the world. The money will get spent, that will live forever.” In July, Elliott competed in Manchester on the UFC 304 card, an event where the welterweight championship transferred from Leon Edwards to Belal Muhammad. This particular title is one Elliott has aspired to hold since his youth. Elliott stated, “When I was a 10-year-old kid I wanted to be champion of the world and that hasn’t changed.” He posed the question, “What’s more believable? Going from absolutely nothing, telling every person that I know that I’ll fight in the UFC one day or being 3-0 in the UFC and telling you I’m coming for the title?” Elliott holds a clear understanding of his ultimate objective. He further commented, “I’ll be on those rankings one day of course.” Elliott continued, “What can I say? I don’t strive to be number 12 in the world or 10.” He concluded, “I’m already number one in my mind; I always have been. I’ve seen it.” This video can not be played’I am the calmest man in the building’ – Elliott Following the retirement of Jack Shore and the release of Cory McKenna this year, Elliott now stands as the sole Welsh fighter contracted with the UFC. He maintains that he experiences no pressure. The Merthyr-born fighter stated, “I don’t put pressure on myself or my fights.” He elaborated, “It’s the same sport and art I’ve always done since a kid when I did it for free, did it for fun, so I’m just grateful I get to do it.” When questioned about the advice he would offer his younger self, Elliott responded: “I’d just say don’t even think about stopping yet young man, keep going.” “You see that vision that you can see so crystal clear, never let go of it, chase it and chase it, keep digging and digging.” “It will be so far away and then in the palm of your hands so keep going and stay out the pub!” Merely a week after his New York performance, Elliott returned to the Shore Mixed Martial Arts gym in Abertillery. Elliott affirmed, “Of course I’m back in the gym.” He elaborated, “Every single second I put in on that mat. I don’t see it as a chore, it’s something I’ve done for fun, to self medicate all my life and it’s something I see as money in the bank.” Elliott attributes his achievements to maintaining an attitude of gratitude. He commented, “I feel like the more grateful you are for things, the more the good things come to you and I’m just enjoying the ride” “I can’t wait to see what I do next and how far I can take this.” “If it’s anything like how I see it going then it’s going to be fun.” Elliott has openly expressed his desire to honor his late father, Paul, throughout his career. The bout at Madison Square Garden offered a celebratory occasion for his family, particularly his mother. He shared, “It’s just really emotional for me to talk to her, to see how happy she is for the life we’ve had to endure, the well documented darkness we went through. It meant the world to give something back in a positive way. As I look back now, that chapter of my life, I’ve capped that off, my debut year in the UFC, my way of avenging my hardships was always getting to the UFC. My first year I capped it off like that, it was like it was written because I believe it genuinely was written, onwards and upwards.”