Oban Elliot Fuelled and Ready for UFC Return: “I Cannot Wait to Get Back in There and Set the Record Straight”

Oban Elliot is ready and raring for his UFC return after suffering two defeats inside the Octagon.

Injuries and scheduling issues have hindered the Welshman’s activity over the last year but now fully healthy, he is itching to right his wrongs and get back to winning ways.

Elliot dropped his last bout to rising Australian prospect Jonathan Micallef in January despite dominating the majority of the fight. Now recovered, he has his eyes on an upcoming European card in the coming months.

In an exclusive interview with Combat Evolved, ‘The Welsh Gangster’ discussed his last fight, return plans and motivation for the next chapter of his career.

Woes in Sydney: The Jonathan Micallef Fight

Speaking with Combat Evolved, Elliot detailed the events that transpired during his most recent fight against Jonathan Micallef.

After a dominant first round that saw Elliot outstrike his opponent, he was caught with a punch in the second round that severely impacted his vision.

“I’m fighting him, doing everything I prepared to do, I was dominating the fight. He hit me with a punch and I’ve gone blind almost – instantly.” Elliot said.

“Not in terms of it went black, but he’s clipped me and his fist has dug right in my eyeball. I look again and there’s 10 of him.”

The injury was immediately noticed by Micallef’s corner, who informed their fighter that Elliot’s eye had been damaged, an opportunity the Australian quickly capitalised on. A reversed clinch position ultimately saw Elliot taken down and submitted.

“It was like I was hallucinating. The sponsors of the canvas were like a kaleidoscope, that’s what the eye specialist described it as. The sponsors were up in the ceiling, the big TV above the cage was by my feet.”

Elliot’s dominance up until the point of injury is something he remains well aware of, and one of the reasons that he wants to avenge that loss in the future.

“I would love to fight Micallef again one day. Hopefully he keeps going and I see him again. Not that it keeps me up at night, I’ve lost before and said ‘fair enough you beat me fair and square’. But that f***** didn’t beat me.”

Oban Elliot Targeting UFC Serbia Return

Five fights into his UFC career, Elliot has only competed in Europe once.

Since making his UFC debut in early 2024, he has travelled to Australia twice, as well as Azerbaijan and New York.

Now medically cleared to compete again, he is hoping for a return closer to home, something that would benefit both him and his supporters.

“The Serbia card, fingers crossed, it’s not so f****** far. I went to Australia twice you know? I want a nice two-hour flight this time.”

UFC Serbia is scheduled to take place on August 1 at the Belgrade Arena. Headlined by Uroš Medić and Daniel Rodriguez, the event is set to mark the promotion’s first visit to the country.

Additionally, Elliot believes a spot on the Serbia card would make travel easier for his fans while also allowing his family to attend.

“I fought in Manchester and they (the fans) were there in their thousands. So in Serbia, it’s not so far. It’s nice and local for me, I can get my nephew and niece to Serbia.

“This next fight is to set the record straight for myself, and I want my people there. Hopefully the UFC can save them some money and put me only two hours away.”

Oban Elliot’s Newfound Fire Ahead of UFC Return

For the first time in his career, Elliot will step into the Octagon on the back of two consecutive defeats.

Despite that, he is thoroughly convinced that the next version of himself will be the very best fans have seen yet, while still believing he is nowhere near his peak.

“You’ll see the best of the best of the best. I hate that ‘2.0’, ‘version 2’, stuff. I’m nowhere near peaking.”

"The most important person to be confident in their future is yourself and I am more confident than ever. Nothing’s f****** stopping me.”

Still only 28 years old, ‘The Welsh Gangster’ believes his experiences with both the highs and lows of mixed martial arts will ultimately work in his favour.
Each setback, he says, has made him a better person and a better fighter.

“I’ve been knocked down, choked out, I’ve been beat. I’ve soared with the egos, slithered with the snakes and everywhere in between. I’m only 28 years old and feel like I’ve had the pressure of the world on my back at times.

“Through all the ups and the downs, I’ve always stayed up. I’ve always come out the other side a 10x better human being, so god only knows how that’ll make me as a fighter.”

Going into his next bout, Elliot will be aiming to get back to winning ways whilst doing what he loves as a combatant in MMA.