Gable Steveson's wrestling backed to outclass Ciryl Gane ahead of UFC debut

With Gable Steveson yet to step inside the Octagon for the first time, analyst New York Ric has already gone on record backing the decorated wrestler to have too much for heavyweight contender Ciryl Gane, stating he would favor Steveson in a matchup between the two right now.

Steveson arrives in the UFC at 26 years old with a pristine 0-0 professional MMA record, meaning every detail of his game as a mixed martial artist remains untested at this level. The American stands six-foot-one and brings with him a celebrated wrestling pedigree that has generated significant attention ahead of his promotional debut. How that background translates against elite heavyweight competition is the central question surrounding his early career.

Gane, meanwhile, is one of the most accomplished heavyweights on the roster. The Frenchman, nicknamed Bon Gamin, trains out of MMA Factory and carries a 14-2 record into his 36th year. Ranked second in the heavyweight division, he is a legitimate title contender whose striking is among the most refined at 265 pounds. Gane lands 5.29 significant strikes per minute at a 61 percent accuracy rate, exceptional numbers for any division, and fights out of an orthodox stance with a reach of 81 inches and a height of six-foot-four.

Why it matters

• Steveson's wrestling credentials are elite, but he has no professional MMA record to evaluate against a ranked contender
• A win over Gane would immediately position any debuting fighter as a heavyweight force; a loss would carry limited consequences for Gane's number-two ranking
• The stylistic contrast — Steveson's wrestling base versus Gane's technical striking and 81-inch reach — represents one of the more intriguing hypothetical matchups in the division
• New York Ric's comments signal the broader hype surrounding Steveson's transition and will fuel debate about how quickly elite wrestlers can compete at the top of the heavyweight rankings