Just when fans thought Gable Steveson‘s story had hit a pause, he’s flipped the script. From Olympic glory to an unexpected NCAA stumble, his career has never followed a straight line—and now, he’s hinting at his most daring chapter yet. Before returning to collegiate wrestling for the 2024–25 season, Gable experimented with the NFL and WWE. The Golden Gopher senior, who had dominated 18 consecutive opponents, was a wrecking ball going into the NCAA championships. But what’s next?
Well, the two-time NCAA champ had long hinted at going to MMA, even before his farewell to the NCAA. But recently, the news has finally broken. Yes, Gable Steveson is officially on his way to becoming an MMA star. It was on April 1 when BJJ star Craig Jones announced on Instagram that he would be competing against Steveson in a superfight. The Craig Jones Invitational (CJI) 2 is scheduled for August 31, 2025.
But where is this clash of titans about to go off? And is the Golden Gable all set to dominate? After all, a cryptic training post, a looming clash with Craig Jones, and whispers of an MMA pivot—Steveson isn’t done. He’s just getting unpredictable. Gable Steveson drops first post on Instagram after NCAA farewell. The caption? It reads, “Learning and growing every day!! Can’t wait to keep putting it all together!! ”
Steveson is practicing with professional boxer Sona Akale, and not only the post, but Steveson also put up an Instagram story. And the story is all about getting punches from Akale’s son with a tight core and a small caption. Talking about his MMA career, Steveson earlier revealed on “The Pat McAfee Show” that he was “trying to get ready for an MMA career.”
He also mentioned that he received a “couple of calls from NFL teams.” The wrestling prodigy even did some practice sessions with UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones, and talking to McAfee, he said, “I appreciate his (Jones’s) efforts to try to lead me in the right direction and kind of take my back and give me the direction that I need.” He further took his time to reflect on his out-of-wrestling ventures.
He mentions, “I’m young and he’s been there and done that before so I’m really appreciative of how he’s kind of walked my steps leading into this next chapter, if that’s what it is.” Well, Gable Steveson has always been ready to take on something new, trying different sports—and this might mark his next stardom moment.
From the mat to the cage—is Gable the next crossover star?
As Steveson shifts gears from NCAA wrestling to MMA-style grappling, the question emerges: Can Gable Steveson follow in the footsteps of stars like Bo Nickal and Brock Lesnar? This is more than just a comeback — it’s a career pivot. With Olympic-level wrestling and freakish athleticism, Steveson has all the tools to become a force in MMA. His bout against Craig Jones is the first litmus test. If he succeeds, it could open the door to a UFC future.
Gable Steveson is no stranger to seismic career shifts. After Olympic gold and NCAA dominance, he’s now stepping into the grappling world, facing BJJ ace Craig Jones at the Craig Jones Invitational 2. Jones announced the match with his signature humor, captioning, “Time to answer the age-old question: is wrestling gayer than jiu-jitsu?” With that, the stage was set for a showdown that’s as bold as it is unexpected.
And being in the wrestling game for so long, MMA would not be a different game. Not to mention, Gable Steveson’s transition follows a pattern set by athletes like Bo Nickal and Brock Lesnar, who successfully moved from wrestling to MMA. Like them, Steveson isn’t stepping in blindly. Training with UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones, he has expressed his enthusiasm for MMA, stating, “I love MMA. I love everything about it. But one thing, I love punching people in the face.”
Still, even with an Olympic gold and two NCAA championships under his belt, this new arena comes with its hurdles. Unlike freestyle wrestling, Steveson now faces the challenge of adapting to jiu-jitsu’s submission-focused rule set—a test that could either expose gaps or elevate his game to a new level.
Craig Jones, his opponent, boasts elite grappling skills and actively exploits his opponents’ vulnerabilities. Jones even commented, “I choose my opponents like I choose women. I wait for a moment of vulnerability,” referencing Steveson’s recent NCAA loss. As Gable Steveson ventures into this new arena, the combat sports community watches with anticipation. Will he follow in the footsteps of past crossover stars or carve out a unique path of his own? Only time will tell.
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