Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson is currently competing in the 2025 NCAA Wrestling Championships, aiming to secure his third title for the University of Minnesota.
Beyond wrestling, Steveson, age 24, is considering a move to MMA. He demonstrated his interest by joining Jon Jones` training camp to help prepare for the fight against Stipe Miocic.
Steveson is known for his championship mentality in wrestling and expects to bring the same dedication when he eventually enters the world of MMA.
“I’m young and motivated,” Steveson stated. “I want to be the best in everything I do.”
While many wrestlers have transitioned to MMA, achieving rapid success is not common.
Bo Nickal, a three-time NCAA champion, stands out for his incredibly fast progress in MMA. He boasts a perfect 7-0 record, including four UFC victories, and is scheduled for his next fight in May against former ONE Championship titleholder Reinier de Ridder.
Despite the intense attention for a fighter with only seven professional bouts, Nickal has seized his opportunities, with many predicting he will become a UFC champion.
Steveson is clearly impressed by Nickal`s journey, seeing him as a benchmark for wrestlers entering MMA.
“Bo is exceptional,” Steveson commented. “Looking at Bo and his presence, you know he’s a three-time National Champion, a U23 World Champ, and an Olympic alternate. Bo has all the qualities to be a champion right now.”
“He has a unique style, he’s tall, and his takedowns are very effective, especially in the UFC. His cage control is also impressive. As we see him face tougher opponents, his wrestling background and transitions are clearly a strong foundation.”
In addition to training with Jon Jones, Steveson has also spent time training at Kill Cliff FC in Florida, alongside notable fighters like Michael Chandler, Gilbert Burns, and Shavkat Rakhmonov.
Currently, Steveson is not fully dedicated to MMA, but he hopes to replicate Nickal`s swift career trajectory once he focuses entirely on the sport.
“I think people will judge my talent for themselves,” Steveson said. “But personally, I believe I can compete with anyone, anytime. I feel confident I can perform well and hold my own right now.”
“When the timing is right, and we’ll know when it is, the opportunity will come, and I’ll excel and progress as much as possible in MMA.”
For now, Steveson is focused on winning his third NCAA title and has started strong with a pin and another dominant win to reach the quarterfinals.
