Hold on a second! Before we crown Gable Steveson as the next big thing in MMA, Dana White insists we need to see him prove himself inside the Octagon. But here’s where it gets controversial—is the hype around Steveson justified, or are we setting him up for an impossible standard? Let’s dive in.
Gable Steveson, the Olympic gold medalist and wrestling phenom, is undoubtedly one of the most hyped heavyweight prospects to ever eye a transition into mixed martial arts (MMA). With a flawless 2-0 record in his professional MMA career and the mentorship of UFC legend Jon Jones, Steveson seems poised for greatness. And this is the part most people miss—while his speed and wrestling credentials are undeniably elite, the leap from regional MMA to the UFC is no small feat.
UFC color commentator Joe Rogan has already labeled Steveson a top-5 heavyweight, despite him never setting foot in the Octagon. Bold claim? Absolutely. But Steveson’s lightning-fast takedowns and dominant wrestling style have left fans and experts alike in awe. The question remains: can he replicate this success against UFC-caliber opponents?
Dana White, the UFC CEO, is taking a wait-and-see approach. While he acknowledges Steveson’s potential, White isn’t ready to buy into the hype until he sees him compete in the Octagon. In a recent interview, White bluntly stated, ‘You don’t know until we find out. No matter where you came from, it’s hard to come to the UFC. Everybody looks human when they come here.’ Ouch. But is he right?
Steveson is expected to compete on the Contender Series in 2026, where he’ll have the chance to earn a UFC contract. If successful, he’ll join the ranks of the world’s best heavyweights. But until then, the jury’s still out. Here’s the controversial question—are we setting Steveson up for failure by placing such high expectations on him, or is he truly the future of the heavyweight division? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
