Gable Steveson

Gable Steveson is one of the most decorated combat sports athletes ever to make the transition into professional MMA. An Olympic gold medalist, a two time NCAA champion, and now an undefeated heavyweight prospect in the UFC, his journey from the wrestling mat to the Octagon has been one of the most closely watched stories in the sport.

A Wrestling Prodigy from Minnesota

Gable Dan Steveson was born on May 31, 2000 and raised in Apple Valley, Minnesota, where he and his brother Bobby competed for the powerhouse Apple Valley High School wrestling program. Steveson’s high school career remains one of the most dominant in the history of Minnesota wrestling, finishing with a winning percentage of 98.59 percent across 210 wins and just 3 losses. He claimed four state titles and once carried a winning streak of 171 consecutive matches, with his final two state championship bouts lasting a combined 28 seconds.

At the international level, Steveson claimed multiple age group world championships in freestyle wrestling, including gold at both the 2015 and 2016 Cadet World Championships. He went on to compete collegiately for the University of Minnesota, where he became a two time NCAA Division I national champion, a two time Dan Hodge Trophy winner, a four time Big Ten Conference champion, and a five time All American.

Olympic Glory in Tokyo

Steveson’s defining amateur achievement came at the 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo. Competing in the super heavyweight freestyle division, he fell behind 8 to 5 against Georgian wrestler Geno Petriashvili late in the gold medal match before staging one of the most dramatic comebacks in Olympic wrestling history, scoring a takedown with ten seconds remaining and another with half a second left on the clock to win 10 to 8. The victory made Steveson the youngest freestyle wrestler to win Olympic gold at super heavyweight, at 21 years, two months and six days old, and the first American super heavyweight to win Olympic gold since 1992.

Exploring Other Arenas

Following his Olympic triumph, Steveson explored opportunities beyond wrestling. He signed with WWE in 2021 and competed as a professional wrestler before his release in 2024. He also signed with the Buffalo Bills of the NFL in 2024, though he was released ahead of the regular season. Both experiences ultimately led Steveson back to combat sports, where his wrestling pedigree translated directly into elite potential as a mixed martial artist.

A Perfect Start in MMA

Steveson made his professional MMA debut on September 12, 2025 at LFA 217, defeating Braden Peterson via TKO in under two minutes. He followed that with a sensational 24 second knockout of Kevin Hein later that year. Looking to prove his skills extended beyond wrestling, Steveson stepped into a Dirty Boxing ring against Billy Swanson at DBX 4, finishing the fight in just 15 seconds with a single uppercut. UFC matchmaker Mick Maynard was in attendance that night, and Steveson made sure to address him directly from the ring after the win.

He opened 2026 with a dominant TKO victory over 14 fight veteran Hugo Lezama at Mexico Fight League 3, showcasing a more patient and technical approach. He then signed with Real American Freestyle and defeated Alexander Romanov via technical fall in the main event of RAF 9.

Signing with the UFC

During the main card of UFC 327 on April 11, 2026, the UFC officially announced that Steveson had signed with the promotion, capping off an extraordinary eight month run through multiple combat sports disciplines with a perfect record. Steveson is set to make his long awaited Octagon debut on July 11, 2026 against Elisha Ellison at UFC 329 in Las Vegas, fighting in front of a massive International Fight Week crowd.

Training under UFC legend Jon Jones, who Steveson has credited as his primary mentor in MMA, Steveson is widely regarded as one of the most talented heavyweight prospects to enter the UFC in years. With his combination of elite wrestling, improving striking and a flawless finishing record, many in the sport believe he is being groomed for a run at the UFC Heavyweight Championship in the years ahead.

First Round Management

Gable Steveson is represented by First Round Management, a leading MMA management company specialising in UFC athlete representation, contract negotiation, brand partnerships and career development for elite combat sports professionals. For booking and commercial enquiries, contact our team at info@firstroundmanagement.com.