The UFC officially announced the signing of Olympic wrestling champion Gable Steveson during the live UFC 327 broadcast. Steveson will make his promotional debut at UFC 329 on July 11 in Las Vegas during International Fight Week. The 25-year-old Olympic gold medalist in freestyle wrestling transitioned to MMA last year and has already compiled a 3-0 record with all victories coming by KO/TKO in the first round. He trains at Jackson Wink MMA under the guidance and mentorship of former champion Jon Jones. This signing adds another high-profile athlete to the UFC roster.
The UFC has officially signed Olympic wrestling champion Gable Steveson, with the promotion announcing the deal live during the UFC 327 broadcast. Steveson is set to make his promotional debut on July 11 at UFC 329 in Las Vegas, which falls during International Fight Week.
Steveson, 25, arrives in the UFC as one of the most decorated combat sports prospects in recent memory. A freestyle wrestling Olympic gold medalist, he transitioned to MMA last year and has moved through his early professional career without dropping a round, posting a 3-0 record with all three victories coming by KO/TKO in the first round. His path to the UFC has been built on overwhelming finishing power rather than prolonged development.
Preparing Steveson for the next stage of his career is former UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones, who serves as a mentor and training partner at Jackson Wink MMA. Jones, now 38 and holding a record of 28-1-0, brings considerable expertise to that role. Standing six-foot-four with an 84-inch reach and a career striking accuracy of 58 percent, Jones is widely regarded as one of the most technically complete fighters the sport has produced. His guidance gives Steveson direct access to elite-level experience as the young heavyweight prepares for his first UFC appearance.
Why it matters
- Steveson's 3-0 record, built entirely on first-round finishes, signals rare knockout power for a wrestler making the transition to MMA.
- A UFC 329 debut during International Fight Week places him immediately on one of the year's highest-profile cards.
- Jon Jones's mentorship at Jackson Wink connects Steveson to a proven championship pedigree heading into the UFC's heavyweight division.
