Former Cage Warriors star, Oban Elliott, outdueled American wrestleboxer Preston Parsons at UFC 304.
Parsons took his 2-2 UFC record into this Manchester fight against Elliott, looking to get above .500 and on a two-fight win streak in the process. In his way stood Oban ‘the Welsh Gangster’ Elliott and his considerable popularity from an action-paced CW career. After a Contender Series fight where he almost got knocked out, won by majority decision, and still got a contract, he had a lot to prove in this, his second fight with the UFC. In the end, he passed with flying colors.
Parsons came out in the first round aggressively, throwing punches into a takedown attempt. Oban defended it and got the outside clinch position. However, Parsons was happy to be there, as they grappled in the clinch for a while, fighting to each land elbows in tight. At distance, Preston began working on leg kicks, which buckled Elliott’s legs a few times. For his own part, Oban had trouble landing punches on a for who was actively avoiding boxing. He even looked for his own takedown and could not yet it, but controlled the clinch for half a minute thereafter.
The first round ended with little conclusive damage either way, but Elliott still had to be happy with his success defending takedowns. He did so again to start round two, even though Preston got in deep on his hips with the initial shot. ‘The Welsh Gangster’ began to find his range especially with his jab, though it was hard with the movement of Parsons. The American got even deeper in on another takedown and seemed poised to land it, but made a small mistake and Oban took advantage to stay up. He even got to the rear body-lock on Parsons and slowly forced him to the ground as he tried to take the back. Preston got back up and escaped, but Elliott had all the momentum. Later, Parsons seemed as though he was landing his first takedown but Elliott swept with a kimura, only for Preston to roll with it and get back to the front headlock, then they settled in an over-under clinch, where the round ended.
Elliott began the round by popping back his opponent’s head multiple times, emboldening him to pressure. Parsons shot another takedown and scrambled hard to try and secure it, to no avail. He began to seem tired and ate a monster right gand from Oban right afterwards. Oban got overaggressive and missed some follow-up punches, so he fell into the clinch. Despite controlling the action, Elliott never got close to finishing Parsons, due to the smart defense and head movement of the American. With one minute left in the fight, Parsons finally got his first takedown. Oban instantly swiveled for an armbar, which he held onto but Preston eventually escaped. Elliott got back to his feet and that is where the final horn sounded.
Although it seemed as though the Welshman would win the decision, one never knows with judges. When the scorecards were read, there was nothing for Elliott to worry about, as he claimed victory on all three scorecards.
Official Result: Oban Elliott def. Preston Parsons by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
