The wait is over. Gable Steveson, the Olympic gold medalist and arguably the most scrutinized prospect in combat sports, stepped back into the cage Thursday night at Mexico Fight League 3 (MFL 3). Facing his most experienced opponent to date, veteran Hugo Lezama, Steveson wasn’t just fighting for a win—he was fighting for a UFC contract. With the heavyweight division in desperate need of fresh blood and undisputed champion Jon Jones mentoring him, the stakes for this 25-year-old wrestling prodigy couldn’t be higher. Did he deliver the performance Dana White was waiting for?
Deep Dive: From WWE Flop to MMA Phenom
Steveson’s road to the cage has been anything but a straight line. After capturing the hearts of Americans with his dramatic last-second victory at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, he seemed poised for superstardom. But his path took several unexpected detours:
The WWE Experiment: Signed to a massive contract, Steveson’s pro wrestling career fizzled out before it truly began, leading to his release in May 2024.
The NFL Pivot: In a shocking twist, he signed with the Buffalo Bills as a defensive lineman despite never playing football. That dream ended with his release during the preseason.
The MMA Rebirth: Steveson finally committed to MMA in late 2025. He silenced doubters quickly, winning his first two fights by knockout in a combined time of under 2 minutes.
Thursday’s bout in Monterrey, Mexico, marked a significant shift. Steveson weighed in at a career-low 249 pounds, a clear signal that he is taking his conditioning seriously. Training alongside Jon Jones at Jackson-Wink MMA, Steveson has adopted the mindset of a champion, shedding the “entertainer” persona for that of a cold, calculated fighter.
The Impact: A White House Debut?
The implications of Steveson’s latest performance are massive. He has publicly stated that a win in Mexico would lead to him calling for a UFC debut at the White House later this year. With the UFC heavyweight division currently in a state of flux—champion Tom Aspinall sidelined and Jon Jones’ future uncertain—the promotion is hungry for a star.
Steveson checks every box: elite pedigree, heavyweight power, and a controversial yet undeniable star power. While his past legal issues continue to generate polarized reactions from fans, his athletic potential is undisputed. If Thursday’s performance proved anything, it’s that Gable Steveson is no longer just a prospect; he is a problem that the UFC heavyweight division will soon have to solve.
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