Oban Elliott changes ‘infamous’ definition, wants spot on another big card after UFC 304

MANCHESTER, England – Oban Elliott beat Preston Parsons with a unanimous decision Saturday on the preliminary card at UFC 304 at Co-op Live in Manchester, England.

Take a look inside the fight with Elliott, a former Cage Warriors standout who now has won seven straight.

Oban Elliott vs. Preston Parsons

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – JULY 28: Oban Elliott of England celebrates his victory against Preston Parsons of the U.S. in a welterweight bout during the UFC 304 event at Co-op Live on July 28, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Ben Roberts Photo/Getty Images)

Result: Oban Elliott vs. Preston Parsons unanimous unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27
Updated records: Elliott (11-2 MMA, 2-0 UFC), Parsons (11-5 MMA, 2-3 UFC)
Key stats: Elliott stuffed eight of Parsons’ nine takedown attempts.

Elliott on the fight’s key moment

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – JULY 27: Preston Parsons of the U.S. works a submission on Oban Elliott of England in a welterweight bout during the UFC 304 event at Co-op Live on July 27, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Ben Roberts Photo/Getty Images)

“(We prepared) wrestling off the bottom because that was his only way he’s going to get me. He can’t do much with me in the wrestling department. It was just kind of head down trying to catch some big shots. I knew that was going to happen. It takes two people to make an exciting fight. I just kept behind the jab. I can’t remember the saying, but something about the right hand, but the jab will take you around the world. So I just kept true to that.” (Most typically, the saying goes: The right hand can take you around the block, but a good jab will take you around the world.)

Elliott on going the distance

“I knew I was better than him on the feet. I saw the only area that we were maybe 50-50 in was the wrestling. I just had to fight a patient fight. It was kind of my fight to lose if I got overzealous. I hit him with some big shots – he had a good chin. I was looking to land big shots, but he was good at that inside kick. I just had to be smart in there. I’ve had the decision the last few fights. As long as I’m doubling my money and I’m keeping the f*cking 0 in the UFC (in my record), I don’t care. We’re all good.”

Elliott on what he wants next

“I came straight off the injury list for this fight, straight into camp – a 12-week camp. Now I’m going to be in August, so maybe if I take a month to fully refresh, it takes me to September. Then I know (Jon) Jones (vs. Stipe) Miocic is in November. If you put me on (UFC) 298 in the infamous Honda Center (in Anaheim, Calif.), if you put me on (UFC) 304 on the biggest U.K. card in history, why not chuck me on the Jon Jones card? You may as well. I’d love that – or the T-Mobile (Arena) in (Las) Vegas. I mean, that sounds good to me.”

To hear more from Elliott, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 304.