Gable Steveson was supposed to be the next Kurt Angle. Then he was supposed to be an NFL star. When both those dreams crumbled—and after a shocking collegiate defeat left critics whispering “bust”—most wrote him off. But as of February 2026, the narrative has flipped entirely. Fresh off a headline-grabbing bout in Monterrey for the **Mexico Fight League**, the Olympic Gold Medalist isn’t just winning; he is terrifying the heavyweight division. The wrestling prodigy has reinvented himself as an MMA juggernaut, and the UFC—specifically Jon Jones—is watching very closely.
### From “Bust” to Beast: The Timeline
To understand why Steveson’s current run is going viral, you have to look at how far he fell.
**The Stumble (2024-2025)**
After a lackluster stint in WWE and a brief, unsuccessful preseason with the **Buffalo Bills** in August 2024, Steveson returned to the University of Minnesota for a final wrestling season. The fairytale ending didn’t happen. In March 2025, in what is now considered one of the biggest upsets in NCAA history, he lost the national title match to **Wyatt Hendrickson**.
**The Pivot (Late 2025)**
Steveson didn’t sulk. He signed with LFA and made his pro MMA debut in September 2025, winning via first-round TKO. He followed this with a stunning 15-second knockout in a “Dirty Boxing” promotion in October, and another 24-second finish in November.
**The Mentor**
Perhaps the biggest catalyst for this resurgence is his training partner. Steveson has been spotted training under the wing of UFC legend **Jon Jones**. The endorsement from “Bones” has fast-tracked Steveson’s credibility, transforming him from a wrestler trying to punch into a legitimate heavyweight prospect.
### The White House Rumor
The internet is currently ablaze with rumors that Steveson is targeting a UFC debut as early as June 2026. Steveson himself has hinted at wanting to fight on a potential card hosted at or near the **White House**, a spectacle that would perfectly suit his showman persona.
### Why It Matters
The UFC heavyweight division is desperate for new blood. With current champions aging and contenders thinning out, a 25-year-old Olympic hero with the backing of Jon Jones is a promoter’s dream. Steveson’s journey proves that in combat sports, you are only as good as your last fight—and right now, Gable Steveson looks unstoppable.
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