Wyatt Hendrickson, who shocked the wrestling world with a last-minute takedown that halted Gable Steveson‘s perfect NCAA run, is now at a crossroads in his combat sports career. Hendrickson’s victory elevated him beyond the realm of NCAA wrestling. He rose to prominence, and his next move, whether in MMA or pro wrestling, suddenly mattered. But as the anticipation grows and doors open, Hendrickson revealed that there’s more to consider than fame or money. There’s the matter of his head.
Hendrickson spoke with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour about his strong interest in MMA but also revealed that prior concussions have given him pause. “I love MMA. “I love everything about it,” he stated. “But one thing that’s in my mind—I love punching people in the face, but obviously, getting punched in the face sucks. Getting hit in the head—I do have a little bit of history with, you know, just some concussions, and there might be some caution there.” For a rising talent with real-life responsibilities as an officer of the US Air Force, the stakes surely go beyond simply winning or losing.
However, Hendrickson isn’t ruling anything out. In fact, he is willing to give MMA a fair shot—albeit cautiously. “I really think I need to, you know, get some gloves on and see how it feels,” he told Ariel Helwani. “MMA is—like I said—it’s no joke. Getting punched by someone who knows how to punch in the head and getting knocked out is not super fun.” With plans to serve for at least five more years after his wrestling career ends, Hendrickson made it clear that any move to MMA will take place on his terms and only if it can be done without jeopardizing his health.
March 22, 2025, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA: Oklahoma State s WYATT HENDRICKSON reacts after beating Minnesota s Gable Steveson in a 285-pound championship match during session six of the 2025 NCAA, College League, USA Division I wrestling championships at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Philadelphia USA – ZUMAh193 20250323_zsp_h193_011 Copyright: xDanielxMcGregor-Huyerx
Still, the idea of Hendrickson entering the Octagon has fans excited—and rightfully so. His coach, Olympic hero David Taylor, believes the 24-year-old could excel in WWE if he took that path. Hendrickson’s heart, however, is currently drawn to MMA. “As long as I can do whatever I want to do safely, I’m obviously going to do what I can,” he stated in the interview.
And with names like Brock Lesnar and Paddy Pimblett already blurring the lines between wrestling and combat sports, it seems like Hendrickson’s next chapter is inevitable. The only what-if is when and where he’ll take that first walk. It is also worth noting that he will require a lot of preparation to go through. So, does he currently train MMA, or will he be doing so before a possible debut?
Wyatt Hendrickson makes a confession about MMA training
While Hendrickson’s enthusiasm for MMA is as genuine as it gets, his experience in a combat gym is still in its infancy. He’s the first to acknowledge that he’s not ready to jump right in. When asked about his current training, Hendrickson did not claim to be ready for his cage debut tomorrow. “I’ve done a little bit,” he explained. “Not specifically. I’ve had some boxing gloves and messed around with some guys, hit the punching bag, gone to some jiu-jitsu practices.” It’s a far cry from the full-time grind that most MMA prospects undergo. For Hendrickson, wrestling is still everything, and that laser focus has been the key to his meteoric rise.
That’s what makes the contrast with Gable Steveson so compelling. Steveson, after all, is more than simply an Olympian; he has been training with the sport’s “baddest man,” Jon Jones. In the buildup to UFC 309, Steveson was sighted in Albuquerque, sparring with the heavyweight champion himself. In one intense moment, he even missed Jones’ flying knee by a split second, revealing how serious his MMA training had become. Despite his best efforts, Hendrickson’s takedown in the last seconds proved unstoppable. If anything, that contrast only adds more mystique to Hendrickson’s potential.
However, Wyatt Hendrickson understands that talent alone is insufficient in MMA. There are no shortcuts to surviving or winning a cage bout. He is aware of what will happen next if he follows this path. “I just haven’t taken it too seriously,” he admitted, almost hesitantly. That honesty in a sport where ego frequently covers unreadiness is refreshing. He’s not pretending to be someone he isn’t—at least not yet.
If and when the time comes, the gloves will be put on, camps will begin, and the wrestling phenom will learn what it means to fight under the MMA lights. Until then, the intrigue deepens. What do you think? Will Wyatt Hendrickson find success in MMA? Let us know in the comments.
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