Gable Steveson: A New Era in MMA

Few prospects in mixed martial arts history have generated as much hype as Gable Steveson. At just 25 years old, he is already considered one of the most gifted heavyweights to transition into MMA. His background as a former University of Minnesota standout includes becoming the youngest American to win Olympic gold in wrestling at the 2020 Summer Olympics, along with two NCAA championships. These accomplishments have set the stage for an impressive career in the sport.

Steveson’s early results in MMA are only reinforcing the belief that something special is on the horizon. He has an undefeated record of 2-0 as a professional, with two knockouts that took just over two minutes combined. Additionally, he delivered a brutal 15-second knockout in his Dirty Boxing debut, all without the years of cage experience typically required by most heavyweights.

A Champion in the Making?

Former UFC welterweight contender Matt Brown has expressed strong confidence in Steveson’s potential. During an appearance on The Fighter vs. The Writer, Brown didn’t hold back when discussing Steveson’s ceiling.

“He could be champion literally today,” Brown said. “If he went in and fought Tom Aspinall or Ciryl Gane or whoever is the champion. I don’t think there’s a chance anyone has against him.”

Brown acknowledged that Steveson is not yet in a position for a title fight but emphasized that ability and opportunity are two different things.

Jon Jones as Mentor: A Double-Edged Sword

As Steveson continues his journey toward the UFC, he has leaned on former heavyweight and light heavyweight champion Jon Jones as a coach and mentor. Jones, widely regarded as the greatest fighter of all time, has publicly supported Steveson as the sport’s next superstar.

However, not everyone shares this enthusiasm. Former UFC heavyweight Brendan Schaub has raised concerns about Jones serving as a role model, given his history of legal trouble, failed drug tests, and off-the-cage controversies.

Brown understands these concerns and believes Steveson’s biggest challenge may lie outside the ring.

“Outside the ring, that’s pretty obvious,” Brown said. “Jon’s not the guy to mentor you in life. He doesn’t need to be anybody’s life coach.”

Brown also questioned whether Jones’ natural gifts might not be the best example for a young fighter still learning how to push beyond their limits.

“When you’re genetically gifted to be able to work hard, is it really working hard?” Brown asked. “You need to be able to push yourself past the limits of what you’re capable of. I would question if Jon has always done that or not.”

For Brown, Steveson’s success will hinge less on talent, which he believes is unmatched, and more on discipline, structure, and leadership.

Life Coaching May Be the Key

According to Brown, Steveson’s ceiling is so high that the real danger lies in how he handles fame, expectations, and opportunity.

“Probably the most important thing that Gable needs is the life coaching,” Brown said. “How’s he going to deal with fame? It’s going to be a different level of fame when you’re UFC champion than gold medalist which is already a hefty level of fame.”

Brown believes Steveson’s blend of Olympic pedigree and heavyweight dominance could catapult him into an entirely different stratosphere of stardom.

“The stars are the limit for this guy,” he added.

Conclusion

Gable Steveson’s journey in MMA is just beginning, but the potential for greatness is evident. With the right guidance and support, he could become a dominant force in the division. However, as Brown highlights, the challenges outside the ring may be just as critical as those inside. The path to success is not solely about talent but also about how one navigates the complexities of fame and responsibility.