Gable Steveson is planning a lighter tune-up bout ahead of a return at the UFC's November event in New York. The Olympic gold medalist also weighed in on the heavyweight title picture, expressing interest in eventually competing for the belt and suggesting Jon Jones could return to challenge for the title, while also praising Ciryl Gane as a contender.
Reports suggest Gable Steveson is eyeing a spot on the UFC's November card in New York, with the 26-year-old American reportedly planning a lighter tune-up bout as his next step inside the Octagon.
Steveson, who stands six-foot-one and carries an Olympic gold medal in wrestling into his mixed martial arts career, has yet to compete professionally at the UFC level, sitting at 0-0-0 on his official record. Still unproven in the cage, the United States native represents one of the sport's more intriguing heavyweight prospects given his elite grappling pedigree. A tune-up fight ahead of the high-profile New York event would give him competitive experience before a larger spotlight.
Beyond his own plans, Steveson weighed in on the broader heavyweight title picture, suggesting Jon Jones could return to challenge for the belt. Jones, now 39, carries a career record of 28-1-0 and remains one of the most accomplished fighters in UFC history, landing 4.38 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy over the course of his career. Steveson also praised Ciryl Gane as a legitimate contender. Gane, currently ranked number one in the heavyweight division, holds a 14-2-0 record at age 36. The Frenchman out of MMA Factory is one of the division's most active strikers, landing 5.29 significant strikes per minute at 61 percent accuracy.
Steveson himself expressed interest in eventually competing for the heavyweight title, framing his near-term plans as groundwork toward that larger goal.
Why it matters
- Steveson's reported New York target would give him a high-profile platform early in his UFC career
- His comments on Jones add fuel to an already uncertain heavyweight title picture
- Gane's recognition as a top contender by an emerging heavyweight keeps the Frenchman in the conversation at the top of the division
- None of this is officially confirmed, and the matchup and card placement remain unverified reports at this stage
