UFC star Oban Elliott opens up on channelling Hulk Hogan and wowing Donald Trump
On a night when president-elect Donald Trump was flanked by Kid Rock, Dana White and Elon Musk octagonside – Wales’ Oban Elliott no doubt impressed that motley crew to prove he is also a ‘Real American’.
Elliott capped an outstanding first year in the UFC with a third victory in the company as he knocked out Bassil Hafez in spectacular style at New York’s iconic Madison Square Garden.
After his third-round KO, Elliott, as exclusively promised by Daily Star Sport, paid tribute to a WWE legend, launching into a classic Hulk Hogan ‘Real American’ muscle pose, before repeatedly yelling: “Who’s the man in New York City, brother?”
After his statement win at UFC 309 inside MSG, the 26-year-old, from Merthyr Tydfil, said: “It is a mixture of happiness and relief. Not that I put pressure on myself, but I know what I can do in the octagon.
“To not only go out there and do it in the UFC, but do it at Madison Square Garden, like I always dreamed of… my first finish in MSG, that will live forever, brother.
“I’m proud of how I fought. I was super, super relaxed, controlled the distance, landed the shots and got out of the way of his big, wild punches. And that knockout was good, I’m very happy about that.
“I’ve got a mental career planned out here (in the UFC) and it’s just slowly starting to unfold.”
(Image: AP)
Having paid homage to one of his pro wrestling heroes, Elliott got the chance to have a moment with one of the men that inspired him to step inside an MMA cage – ‘The American Gangster’ Chael Sonnen.
The former UFC title challenger was working as an analyst, but caught Elliott just as he was about to enter the arena.
‘The Welsh Gangster’ added: “When I got the fight, I straight up asked him if he could walk out with me. He said yes but the (New York State Athletic) Commission said no.
“Then I found out in the dressing room that he probably wouldn’t make it as he was busy with ESPN, but somehow, of course, he found a way down.
(Image: Zuffa LLC)
“I didn’t expect to see him and I gave him an embrace. We were smiling and laughing and then a few minutes later history was made.”
Elliott, whose father Paul passed away when he was seven, had plenty of family and friends in attendance at MSG.
The rising welterweight star said: “It’s not all always come my way, but I’m glad I never gave up. It is so surreal and I was emotional when I was speaking to my mother, speaking to my friends and thinking about the journey I’ve been on and what I’ve been through in my life.”
