UFC Signs Olympic Gold Medalist Gable Steveson

The wrestling phenom is expected to make his debut during International Fight Week in July.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 12:52am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the explosive movements and powerful physicality of a wrestler, with sharp planes of color and overlapping perspectives capturing the dynamic energy of Gable Steveson's athletic skills.The UFC's signing of Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson promises to shake up the heavyweight division with his elite wrestling pedigree.Buffalo Today

The UFC has officially signed former Olympic gold medalist and NCAA wrestling champion Gable Steveson to a fight contract. Steveson, who also briefly explored a pro wrestling career, is expected to make his UFC debut during International Fight Week in Las Vegas this July. The promotion is now considering potential opponents for Steveson's first fight in the Octagon, with names like Marcin Tybura, Ante Delija, and Mick Parkin being floated as possibilities.

Why it matters

Steveson's signing is a major coup for the UFC, as he is considered one of the top wrestling talents in the world. His Olympic gold medal and NCAA titles make him a highly touted prospect, and his debut will be closely watched by MMA fans eager to see how his elite wrestling skills translate to the Octagon.

The details

Steveson, 25, captured gold at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics when he defeated Geno Petriashvili in the 125-kilogram finals. He was also a two-time NCAA Division I national champion while competing for the University of Minnesota. After his Olympic victory, Steveson briefly flirted with a pro wrestling career, signing with the WWE from 2021-2024. He also had a brief stint with the NFL's Buffalo Bills in 2024 before being cut prior to the season. Steveson has scored three first-round knockout wins in his three professional MMA fights so far, all while training with former UFC champion Jon Jones.

  • Steveson signed with the UFC over the weekend.
  • He is expected to make his UFC debut during International Fight Week in Las Vegas this July.

The players

Gable Steveson

A former Olympic gold medalist and two-time NCAA wrestling champion who has now signed with the UFC.

Jon Jones

A former UFC champion who has been training Steveson for his transition to MMA.

Marcin Tybura

A current Top 15 heavyweight in the UFC who could be a potential opponent for Steveson's debut.

Ante Delija

A heavyweight fighter ranked a couple spots ahead of Tybura who could also be a candidate to face Steveson.

Mick Parkin

An English heavyweight who has won four of his first five UFC fights and could be another option for Steveson's debut.

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What’s next

The UFC will announce Steveson's opponent for his debut fight during International Fight Week in July.

The takeaway

Gable Steveson's transition to MMA and signing with the UFC is a significant development, as he brings elite-level wrestling credentials that could make him a force to be reckoned with in the heavyweight division. His debut will be closely watched as fans anticipate how his wrestling skills will translate to the Octagon.