Oban Elliott Stops Bassil Hafez with Third-Round KO at UFC 309
Rising welterweight talent Oban Elliott delivered a spectacular performance at UFC 309, stopping Bassil Hafez with a third-round knockout. The victory marked Elliott’s biggest win inside the octagon to date, solidifying his status as a prospect to watch in the 170-pound division.
A Clash of Rising Prospects
Both fighters entered the bout looking to build on recent momentum. Hafez had previously faced the highly regarded Jack Della Maddalena, losing a razor-close split decision, before bouncing back with a victory over Mickey Gall. Meanwhile, Elliott, known as “The Welsh Gangster,” had already secured two wins in the UFC.
The fight began with Elliott effectively using his jab, establishing himself as a counter-striker while Hafez pressed forward. Hafez threw powerful single strikes and a well-timed kick late in the first round, nearly catching Elliott off guard. Elliott responded with a high kick that narrowly missed as the buzzer sounded.
Trading Strikes in the Second Round
The second frame saw Hafez open with precise calf kicks, landing cleanly on multiple occasions. Both fighters traded single strikes throughout the round, with Elliott’s jab proving to be a key weapon in keeping Hafez at bay.
The back-and-forth exchanges made it difficult to call a clear winner after two rounds, but Elliott in complete control.
Elliott’s Third-Round Knockout
Any doubts about the outcome were erased early in the third round. Elliott landed a thunderous overhand right that sent Hafez crashing to the canvas. Wasting no time, Elliott followed up with a series of hammer fists, forcing the referee to step in just 40 seconds into the round.
The emphatic finish earned Elliott widespread applause and secured his position as one of the UFC’s brightest welterweight prospects.
“We’re just getting started, boys and girls,” Elliott told Joe Rogan in his post-fight interview, a declaration of his ambition for greater success in the division.
Official Result
Oban Elliott def. Bassil Hafez by knockout, Round 3, 0:40
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
