Olympic wrestling champion Gable Steveson, who is mentored by Jon Jones, has officially signed a contract with the UFC. Jon Jones himself shared information suggesting a possible return to competition. The announcement also mentions that Bruce Buffer mistakenly announced a majority decision for Padilla when the scorecards actually showed a draw. Paulo Costa's performance at light heavyweight has revived fan interest, with questions about why he remained at middleweight for so long. Josh Haukita's performance impressed President Trump, earning him a fight against Derrick Lewis scheduled for the White House lawn, though this appears to be commentary rather than confirmed news.
Olympic wrestling champion Gable Steveson has officially signed a contract with the UFC, bringing one of amateur wrestling's most decorated athletes into the professional MMA fold. The signing was accompanied by activity from heavyweight great Jon Jones, who shared information publicly suggesting he may be eyeing a return to competition.
Jones, 38, carries a professional record of 28-1-0 and remains one of the most statistically dominant fighters in UFC history. The six-foot-four, 213-centimeter heavyweight posts 4.38 significant strikes per minute at a 58 percent accuracy rate, while averaging 1.89 takedowns per 15 minutes. No division or ranking is listed for Jones in the current database, reflecting his inactive status, but his hints at a comeback will draw immediate attention across the heavyweight landscape.
Paulo Costa, 35, also generated significant discussion around the same news cycle. The Brazilian middleweight, ranked 13th in his division with a 16-4-0 record, turned heads with a performance at light heavyweight that prompted widespread fan debate over why he spent so long competing at 185 pounds. Costa is a high-output striker, landing 6.26 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy, and his rare experiment above his natural division appears to have reinvigorated interest in what he can do with added size behind his offense.
Also in the conversation is heavyweight Derrick Lewis, 41, ranked eighth at heavyweight with a 29-14-0 record. The six-foot-three knockout artist from the United States has built his reputation on punching power rather than volume, averaging 2.46 significant strikes per minute.
Why it matters
- Steveson's signing adds a blue-chip wrestling pedigree to the UFC roster and carries Jones's mentorship stamp
- Jones's return hints could shake up the heavyweight division depending on timing and opponent
- Costa's light heavyweight showing reignites questions about his long-term divisional home
- Lewis remains a live heavyweight threat whose power makes any matchup relevant
