Picture this: an Olympic gold medalist stepping into the octagon and absolutely crushing opponents in record time – that's the electrifying rise of Gable Steveson, who's shaking up the MMA landscape! But here's where it gets controversial: former UFC champion Daniel Cormier has just flipped his script, ditching his previous pick for America's brightest hope in mixed martial arts. If you're new to this world, don't worry – we'll break it down step by step, making sure you follow along with all the excitement.
Gable Steveson, a 2020 Olympic champion in freestyle wrestling, didn't start out aiming for the fight game. Initially, he was drawn to professional wrestling with WWE or even American football as career paths. Yet, his incredible grappling skills and athletic prowess led him straight to mixed martial arts, where he's rapidly becoming a top contender. And get this – he's training under the legendary Jon Jones, the former UFC heavyweight king who knows a thing or two about dominating opponents.
Under Jones' guidance, Steveson's journey has been nothing short of spectacular. After a lightning-fast 98-second knockout in his MMA debut, showcasing his raw power and technique, he proved he's not just a one-trick pony in wrestling. He followed that up with an even quicker display of striking prowess at DBX 4, finishing his opponent in mere seconds. For beginners, Dirty Boxing is a hybrid combat sport that blends elements of boxing and wrestling, allowing fighters to use clinches and takedowns – think of it as a bridge between traditional boxing and full-contact MMA.
These victories caught the eye of MMA insiders, including Daniel Cormier, Jones' longtime rival. Cormier, known for his insightful commentary on fighters, recently praised Steveson as America's best shot at producing another UFC champion. In a chat on his podcast, 'Good Guy/Bad Guy,' Cormier admitted he'd previously named Bo Nickal as the top American prospect. But now, he's switched loyalties entirely.
Cormier explained it like this: 'An American to get excited about – that's Gable Steveson.' He recalled being asked about the greatest potential for an American-born UFC champ and initially sticking with Nickal. But after seeing Steveson's exploits, Cormier said, 'I've changed now. It's Gable Steveson.' He highlighted the lack of elite wrestlers in the heavyweight division, pointing to Jones as the exception whose grappling made fights look easy. Cormier believes Steveson can replicate that success, and with Jones hands-on as his coach, it's a recipe for greatness. 'This dude, I believe today, he is the best American prospect to potentially become a UFC champion.'
Of course, this shift sparks debate. Nickal, an undefeated prospect at first, built serious buzz with his early wins. But a disappointing outing against Paul Craig and a loss to Reinier de Ridder have cooled the hype around the welterweight star. Is Cormier's change of heart justified, or does Nickal still have untapped potential? And this is the part most people miss: what if Steveson's Olympic pedigree and Jones' mentorship give him an unfair edge? Could this be the dawn of a new era for American fighters, or is it just hype?
Meanwhile, Jon Jones, who recently retired and vacated his heavyweight title, is loving his new role as coach. In an Instagram post, he called it 'rewarding,' but added that with Steveson, 'it feels like cheating.' He described the 25-year-old as a 'human cheat code' that Jones and his team just get to guide. It's a fascinating twist – Jones, once the GOAT contender, now nurturing the next wave.
In related news, Kayla Harrison is riding high after defeating Amanda Nunes, hinting that UFC 322 might even influence her political ambitions, like a White House run. And there's talk of a kickboxing prodigy following in Alex Pereira's footsteps after a swift KO in his MMA debut.
So, what's your take? Do you agree with Cormier that Gable Steveson is the future of American MMA, or do you think Bo Nickal deserves another shot? Is Jon Jones' coaching giving Steveson an unbeatable advantage, or is talent like this destined to shine anyway? Drop your thoughts in the comments – let's discuss!
