Tag: Gable Steveson

Gable Steveson isn’t waiting for a UFC contract to start calling out the biggest names in the heavyweight division. In an interview with Submission Radio ahead of his third professional MMA fight on February 19 at MFL 3 in Mexico, the Olympic gold medalist made it clear he believes he already belongs with the division’s elite.

“Those three big names — Pereira, Aspinall, Gane — I can compete with most definitely. Especially right now,” Steveson told host Denis Shkuratov. “But if you keep giving me time, the gap will keep coming in — with the youthfulness that I have, with those guys being a little older. Tom is a little older, but Pereira — really older. Gane — really older. As time goes on, you don’t get any faster.”

It’s a bold claim from a fighter who is just 2-0 as a professional, but Steveson has never lacked confidence. The two-time NCAA Division I National Champion and 2020 Olympic gold medalist has been on an accelerated path toward the UFC since making his MMA debut at LFA 217 in September, where he finished Braden Peterson in 98 seconds.

Steveson Embraces the “Savior” Label

The heavyweight division has been in a state of uncertainty, with Jon Jones flirting with retirement and the top contenders jockeying for position. Many fans and media members have started attaching the “savior” label to Steveson, and while he deflects the title, he doesn’t shy away from the expectations that come with it.

“It’s a one of a kind thing when a lot of people put your name as the savior. But I’m young. I’m hungry. I’m ready to work, and I work hard every single day to make that possible,” Steveson said. “The next version of Gable you’ll see is even better than the one you saw last time.”

When asked about the pressure of being called a future UFC champion before even fighting in the promotion, Steveson pointed to his track record of performing under the brightest spotlights.

“That pressure has been put on Steveson and I feel like I’ve directed all the things you could possibly say about: can he do it or can he not? I feel like I’ve proved everyone wrong every single time,” he said. “Pressure makes diamonds, and the diamond in the rough is found now. It’s just me.”

White House Card and Getting Paid

Steveson also made his pitch for the UFC’s rumored White House card, an event he’s been vocal about wanting to be part of for months.

“It would be an honor to be on the White House card. I would love to be the face of it — Olympic champion from USA coming to support the American company, the UFC, and kind of grow myself in that area,” Steveson said. “But if it happens, it happens. If it doesn’t, the world keeps going on. Whether I’m on the White House card or the next card or the one before that, people will watch.”

As for navigating the attention that comes with his rapid rise, Steveson offered a motto that captures his approach: “If they’re going to love you one day, they’re going to hate you the next day — just make sure you get paid both times.”

Steveson faces Hugo Lezama, a 14-fight veteran, on Thursday at MFL 3 in Mexico. A dominant performance could be the final step before the UFC call he’s been working toward.

Gable Steveson says his jump to the UFC is approaching. The Olympic gold medalist told ESPN MMA’s Brett Okamoto that the promotion has been in regular contact and that his debut is “getting to that point where it’s close.”

“We’ve been in actually a lot of contact. I would say after every single fight, it’s a call,” Steveson said. “It’s all good messages. It’s all positive things, good energy. We talk on a great basis. So when the time is coming, it’s just when I want the time to come.”

Steveson (2-0 MMA) fights Hugo Lezama, a 14-fight veteran, on Thursday, February 19 in Mexico on the Mexico Fight League card. He says a dominant performance there could seal the deal.

“I think a big knockout next Thursday will make it perfect,” Steveson said. “Just be ready for all aspects of it. But I think that’ll be a big jump for me if I can go out there and dominate a guy with a lot of experience and make that next step.”

Jon Jones Predicts UFC Title Within One Year

Steveson trains alongside former UFC champion Jon Jones at Jackson Wink MMA, and Jones has a bold prediction for his teammate: UFC champion within 12 months.

“One year from now, UFC champion,” Steveson said, relaying Jones’s words. “I believe it because I got full confidence in myself. But with a guy like John kind of got in the way for me, I feel like the confidence just goes through the roof. The best thing about it is he sees me firsthand training with him and hitting the pads and going through all the motions. So, his word is gold with that.”

Steveson acknowledged the timeline might shift slightly. “And if it’s not next year, it’ll be soon after that. It just depends how the cards fall.”

White House Card in Play

The UFC’s rumored White House card is on Steveson’s radar. As a U.S. Olympic champion, he believes there’s a natural fit.

“There’s got to be a place for a guy that can represent in America,” Steveson said. “I don’t think there’s one American champion right now besides [Gaethje]. But he’s kind of the interim. So if the White House happens for me, it happens for me. If it doesn’t, I keep moving on.”

A knockout win in Mexico would prompt a direct call for the spot. “Yeah, most definitely. I’ll call for it. I think it’s rightfully so,” Steveson said. “Especially if it’s a big knockout that happens next Thursday — it’d be my third in MMA, one in dirty boxing.”

Heavyweight’s Missing Puzzle Pieces

Steveson sees opportunity in a heavyweight division he describes as having “a lot of missing puzzle pieces.” His approach remains measured despite the accelerated timeline.

“We’re still going slow, but slow in the heavyweight division is fast,” Steveson said. “I think with my potential, my speed, my technique, my durability, my endurance — everything and my wrestling included — is going to be a new thing for people to see.”

His striking development has surprised even himself. “I got lightning in my hands. You would have never guessed,” Steveson said. His last outing lasted 20 seconds — a knockout of an experienced, 220-pound opponent.

Whether Thursday’s fight goes the same way or runs the full 15 minutes, Steveson says he’s ready. “I’m going to give you hell for 15 minutes. If it goes 20 seconds, there’s nothing I can do about it.”

MMA newcomer and amateur wrestling legend Gable Steveson has admitted that he’d be very keen to make his UFC debut on next summer’s White House card, perhaps alongside training partner Jon Jones.

While his stint in WWE didn’t work out as planned, Gable Steveson still has a whole lot of potential when it comes to his future in combat sports. His amateur wrestling background is there for all to see and now, he’s entered the world of mixed martial arts, with the likes of Jon Jones helping to train him.

Many believe Gable Steveson will eventually end up in the UFC. When the man himself was asked about possibly entering the promotion at the White House next summer, he had the following to say.

Gable Steveson is open to UFC debut at White House

“Man, that’d be incredible,’ Steveson told MMA Fighting. “I try not to think too big, but sometimes it’s just big moments come and you can’t deny them, and I think having an Olympic champion, an American person, a guy that’s going to go out there and represent the White House on the biggest stage possible, it’s me. And I think it could be really nice.

“The fact that you even asked me, it is cool. It sent a chill on me.”

“I think having a Jon Jones vs. Alex Pereira live-in-the-flesh main event, Jon will be ready because I know he will, and he’ll be with me,” Steveson said. “So we’ll make sure resting is good, we’ll make sure everything else is good, and he’ll take care of the rest.”

“But I think in my terms, man, fantastic opportunity. To have me, being younger, saying that you can be on the same card — and not just any card, a White House card, that is a once in a lifetime [event] — with Jon Jones being the main event against Alex Pereira. I couldn’t even fathom. … It’s insane.”

Quotes via MMA Fighting

MMA newcomer Gable Steveson has spoken about the feeling of training with mixed martial arts and UFC legend Jon Jones.

As we know, Gable Steveson is best known for his incredible success in the world of amateur wrestling. Now, however, following a failed stint in the world of professional wrestling, he’s decided to make his way over to MMA and carve out a brand new legacy for himself.

Part of his training process has involved working with Jon Jones. Jon’s reputation speaks for itself, and Gable Steveson can certainly learn a lot from a guy like that when it comes to how to improve in the sport.

In a recent interview, Steveson went into more detail about his plans moving forward – as well as what the vibe has been like with Jones.

Gable Steveson discusses his MMA development

“I would love to become a champion, and I know I have what it takes. Right now, do I have what it takes? Most definitely not. But I’m humble enough to say that. There’s no ego on my head that would put me in steps I’m not ready for.”

“This is just step one of getting ready for something that’s going to be a lot greater than this. And I know that time will come very fast.”

“It does wonders to my development, you know, but a lot of it is being all ears. You got to be all ears and have the head to be ready to learn and be able to go out there and be with guys like Jon Jones and Greg Jackson and Brandon Gibson.”

“It’s no egos, it’s no balloon heads, it’s everybody on the same page when it’s time to show up, man. We’re all ready to go and we’re humble enough to be around greatness.”

“Anytime I get to be with Jon Jones or get to train with him, I’m just honored. If he can step in that corner, we’ll make it as big as possible.”