MMA Guru predicted Oban Elliott will finish newcomer Song Siok Hionkio in round three. He likes that Elliott has faced resistance at every stage—surviving a second-round scare on Contender Series, eating a counter from Val Woodburn after nearly head-kicking him out, stuffing 11 Preston Parsons takedowns, and adjusting mid-fight to stop Basile Hafez. Those competitive reps convince Guru that Elliott’s ‘mid but durable’ style translates against an unproven Korean puncher whose Contender Series win lacked a knockout despite the “Korean Mike Tyson” nickname. Guru noted Elliott’s 3-0 UFC record, strong defensive wrestling (70% TDD versus Parsons) and willingness to brawl yet rally. He questioned Hionkio’s level, joking the UFC signed him more for regional diversity than skill. Expect Elliott to bank early volume, exhaust the debutant with clinch mat returns, then pour on ground-and-pound for another late stoppage, cashing Elliott ITD props around +200.

Sniper said he will be well under the projected 35-40% ownership on $9.5K Oban Elliott despite picking the Welshman to win. Elliott’s DraftKings upside hinges on a first-round knockout because both fighters throw low volume, and Elliott has failed to top 80 DK points in two of his last three victories. Sniper stressed that cheaper elite plays—Nazim Sadykhov ($9.4K), Tagir Ulanbekov ($9.3K), Curtis Blaydes, and Melissa Mullins—carry similar or better ceilings at lower ownership. He may sprinkle a few punt builds with Coe in case Elliott wins a low-scoring decision, but his primary stance is fading Elliott in tournaments while treating the fight as a near stay-away in cash games.

Monk cautioned against blindly locking in $9.5K Oban Elliott despite the Welshman being a heavy –550 favorite. Elliott’s DraftKings history is spotty: an 80-point Round-3 KO of Basel Hafez, just 62 points in a grind-fest over Preston Parsons, and one true ceiling game (102 points vs Val Woodburn). Monk noted that Elliott often relies on clinch control rather than pile-driving offense, which caps fantasy output unless an early finish materializes. Ko has been knocked out in both pro losses, so a first-round stoppage is possible, but ownership is expected to crest above 35 %. Monk plans to come in well under that mark in tournaments, play Elliott sparingly in cash, and look elsewhere for high-salary ceilings.

Madlab Michael Lurato urged bettors to fade the ‘Korean Mike Tyson’ hype and back Oban Elliott to finish. He acknowledged the –600 money-line is untouchable but likes Elliott Inside-the-Distance (around +175) because Kionko’s highlight-reel knockouts have come against ‘blankets and journeymen’. Madlab praised Elliott’s durability, moxie and cardio, saying the Welshman checks every box UFC matchmakers look for in a long-term project. In his view Kionko swings too hard, falls out of stance and will start hunting one-shot power as soon as Elliott’s clean boxing frustrates him. That over-commitment allows Elliott—who has shown a knack for rear-naked and club-and-sub finishes—to ‘checkmate’ him with either a counter left or follow-up choke. Lurato warned that a puncher’s chance always exists, but believes Elliott’s experience against legitimate opposition makes a KO/TKO finish the most likely outcome once Kionko wilts.

Dan Tom recommended attacking the violence markets rather than laying –600 on Oban Elliott. He played Elliott Inside-the-Distance at +175 and sprinkled Elliott by KO at +310 while noting ‘Fight Doesn’t Go’ sits near even money (-107). Tom pointed out that every professional loss for either man has come by knockout and that half of their combined wins reach the judges, giving bettors several paths to cashing a stoppage ticket. He likes Elliott’s well-rounded skill set—solid cardio, serviceable grappling and enough pop on his southpaw straight—plus the fact he spent Ian Garry’s last camp eating daily southpaw looks. Conversely, Tom labeled Korean prospect Sio Kionko a “glass cannon”: thunderous counters from a Sambo base but questionable chin and no proven wins above regional level. If Kionko over-swings, Elliott’s ability to create scramble finishes or land a clean straight left should pay off the plus-money ITD bets.

Kunath recommended laying chalk on Oban Elliott and sweetening it with Inside-the-Distance props. He admitted Elliott sat on his personal ‘fraud watch’ list after a shaky win over Val Woodburn but said the Welshman has silenced doubts: finishing Basil Hafez (who survived Jack Della Maddalena’s bombs) and displaying brutal grappling-to-ground-and-pound transitions. Elliott’s grit, clinch strength, and willingness to bite down outclass Kyung Ho Kang’s upright stance and static head position. Kunath expects Elliott to mix level changes with overhand rights, drag Kang to the mat, and pour on top damage for a TKO or late sub. Suggested bet: Elliott ITD for a small plus-money bump.

Kunath finally bought into Oban Elliott hype, saying the Welshman should look every bit a –500 favorite versus veteran Kyung Ho Kang. Elliott survives bad moments (was dropped by Val Woodburn) and still breaks opponents with grit, consistent pressure, and an improving one-punch KO threat—it was his right hand that iced Basil Hafez, a guy who ate Jack Della Maddalena’s best. Kunath thinks Kang stands too tall on center line, making him a stationary target for Elliott’s boxing, and believes Elliott’s wrestling is underrated enough to mix takedowns if needed. He suggests Elliott inside-the-distance to shave juice, predicting either a mid-fight knockout or ground-and-pound TKO.

Millz Young is comfortable swallowing the -500 tag on Oban Elliott, noting the Welshman’s 3-0 UFC start, finishing upside, and the UFC brass clearly grooming him after a strong Cage Warriors run. Elliott can grind through a decision or secure a late finish, whereas his opponent is primarily a counter-boxer with a single left-hand threat. Millz expects Elliott’s well-rounded game and pace to wear the underdog down.

Despite calling him a “decision merchant,” Bedtime MMA is siding with Oban Elliott to out-wrestle Ko Seok Hyun. He praised Elliott’s blend of level-change feints into overhand shots, consistent double-leg entries and back-riding control, plus reliable gas tank. He expects Elliott to mix the threat of takedowns with intermittent striking to bank all three rounds. Suggested play: Elliott by decision or use him in parlays.