Key Takeaways
- Gable Steveson is a two‑time NCAA Division I wrestling champion, four‑time Big Ten champion, and 2020 Summer Olympics freestyle‑wrestling gold‑medalist.
- After a brief stint with WWE, he signed with the Buffalo Bills in May 2024 as a defensive lineman despite never having played organized football.
- Steveson appeared in three NFL preseason games (14 snaps total), recording three tackles and two quarterback pressures.
- He transitioned to mixed martial arts, training under renowned MMA coach Greg Jackson and receiving mentorship from UFC legend Jon Jones.
- In his first three MMA bouts, Steveson won each by first‑round stoppage, accumulating less than six minutes of cage time.
- His upcoming fight against Ellison (5‑2) on Saturday positions him as a heavy favorite, and he embraces the hype as a chance to showcase his athletic ceiling.
- Steveson views the UFC debut as just another high‑pressure performance, drawing on a lifetime of big‑stage experiences.
Gable Steveson’s journey from the wrestling mat to the NFL and now the UFC is a testament to his extraordinary athleticism and willingness to venture into unfamiliar territory. A standout collegiate wrestler at the University of Minnesota, Steveson captured two NCAA Division I national titles and four Big Ten championships before adding an Olympic gold medal in freestyle wrestling at the 2020 Summer Games. His dominance in wrestling earned him a reputation as one of the greatest American grapplers of his generation.
After the Olympics, Steveson briefly explored a career in professional wrestling with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). When that path did not materialize, he took a bold step into American football. Despite never having played organized football—not even in high school—Steveson signed with the Buffalo Bills in May 2024 as a defensive lineman. Bills head coach Sean McDermott, upon seeing Steveson work out, praised the transferable skills from wrestling—such as leverage, hand‑fighting, and explosiveness—and acknowledged the steep learning curve inherent in starting a football career from zero experience.
Steveson’s NFL exposure was limited to the preseason. He made his debut in the Bills’ 2024 preseason opener, logging 14 snaps, registering a tackle and a quarterback pressure. Over the course of three preseason contests, he accumulated three tackles and two quarterback hits. Though his time on the field was brief, his physical presence and work ethic left an impression on the coaching staff, particularly new head coach Greg Jackson.
Jackson, a highly respected MMA trainer who has guided UFC champions like Rashad Evans, Carlos Condit, Holly Holm, George St‑Pierre, and Jon Jones, quickly recognized Steveson’s potential. Jackson remarked on the rarity of an Olympic gold‑medal wrestler stepping into mixed martial arts, noting Steveson’s unprecedented athletic ability, intelligence, and coachability. He urged fans to tune in, suggesting that Steveson could redefine what is possible in the sport.
Jones, whose brothers Chandler and Arthur have NFL backgrounds, has become deeply involved in Steveson’s career, offering guidance and mentorship. Their relationship underscores the crossover appeal of elite athletes who excel across disparate combat disciplines.
Steveson’s MMA debut has been swift and decisive. In his first three professional fights, he secured victories by first‑round stoppage, amassing a combined cage time of just five minutes and fifty‑two seconds. Each win showcased his wrestling base—powerful takedowns, dominant top‑control, and relentless pressure—while also highlighting his developing striking and submission game.
The upcoming bout against Ellison (5‑2) on Saturday represents the biggest test yet. Despite being a relative newcomer to the sport, Steveson enters as a substantial favorite, reflecting the confidence of his team and the intrigue surrounding his crossover narrative. Steveson himself embraces the hype, framing the fight as “the Gable Steveson show” and promising a vicious, dominating performance. He approaches the contest with the same mindset that has guided him through countless high‑pressure wrestling matches: “I’ve been in big performances my whole life. This is just another day for me.”
While his NFL preseason experience still outweighs his MMA time on paper, the trajectory is clear. Steveson is rapidly shifting his focus from football to the octagon, aiming to convert his wrestling accolades into UFC success. If his early performances are any indication, the ceiling for this multi‑sport phenom appears extraordinarily high, and the combat sports world will be watching closely to see how far his unprecedented blend of strength, technique, and mental toughness can take him.