Gable Steveson Inspired to Pursue MMA After Training with Jon Jones

Gable Steveson is no stranger to dominating in the world of wrestling, but now, the Olympic gold medalist is setting his sights on the MMA cage. After helping UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones prepare for his title defense against Stipe Miocic at UFC 309, Steveson admitted that training with the MMA legend has ignited his passion for the sport.

Speaking about his experience to MMA Fighting, Steveson said, “As I put the gloves on, I really like the feeling of going out there and mixing everything together from wrestling to boxing to kickboxing to jiu-jitsu. That definitely put a huge spark in me to do MMA.”

Steveson’s connection with Jones runs deep. The two had plans to collaborate in 2023, but a torn pectoral muscle sidelined Steveson. When Jones’ fight with Miocic was rescheduled, Steveson jumped at the chance to join the camp. Reflecting on the opportunity, he called it an honor: “I feel like I played a small role in something really big, and I was happy to be there.”

While wrestling remains Steveson’s current priority as he finishes his collegiate career at the University of Minnesota, the idea of stepping into the cage is more than just a fleeting thought. “Being in that camp definitely put a big gas light and lit it really hard,” he shared. “I really enjoyed being able to put the gloves on and piece everything together slowly.”

Steveson has big plans for the future, including another Olympic run at the 2028 Los Angeles Games. However, he isn’t ruling out the possibility of pursuing both MMA and wrestling simultaneously. “I would love to combine them both and maybe wrestle the Olympics and then maybe a few weeks later or a few weeks before, go out there and win a big fight,” he revealed.

The Olympic champion has already begun laying the groundwork for his MMA transition, training with renowned coaches like Greg Jackson and Henri Hooft. Steveson is confident his wrestling pedigree will translate seamlessly into the cage. “I think wrestling translates really well to MMA,” he said. “To be the best, you’ve got to beat the best, and I believe I can be anything.”

For now, Steveson remains focused on his wrestling season, where he has already delivered dominant performances. However, his time in the MMA world is inevitable, and fans are eagerly anticipating his debut.