Gable Steveson may have fallen short of the storybook ending he dreamed of in his 2024 NCAA comeback, but he’s rewriting the script in an even more meaningful way. While most would have walked away after the shocking final loss against Wyatt Hendrickson, the Golden Gabe is made of a tougher mettle than most. Instead, the Minnesota native decided to stay. Not just for himself or for his legacy, but for the next generation’s as well. So yeah, those who thought this was the end, guess what? Gable Steveson is back. But, hey, what is the role of Gable in this new venture?
Well, as it turns out, it is all for the kids. Yes, you heard that right! As host of Minnesota Scrap Nights, a new initiative helping young wrestlers sharpen their skills and fall in love with the grind of the sport. Just three weeks ago, Minnesota Scrap Nights unveiled their mission with clarity and purpose: “Our mission is to provide wrestlers across Minnesota with the opportunity to test their training in live, open-format matches. We bring together wrestlers from all schools and clubs to compete in a supportive, risk-free environment that focuses on growth over results.”
While the end of his NCAA run didn’t go as planned, this new chapter might just be his most impactful yet. And now, he’s shared an eight-word message that perfectly sums up his commitment to the sport’s future. The energy inside the Minnesota wrestling room has never been higher. And Gable Steveson is helping turn up the heat. Following the second installment of Scrap Night, Steveson took to Instagram Stories to share his excitement: “Night 2 was crazy! Shoutout to everyone who came!! #3 coming soon!!!”
Right beneath that story, Steveson reposted a Scrap Night highlight. Shouting out the dozens of young athletes who chose to “spend their Friday night with us and SCRAPPED!” That detail might seem simple! But it says everything. That raw enthusiasm isn’t just for show. It reflects a deeper mission. One that aims at building the kind of environment he wishes he had growing up.
A space where drive meets opportunity. In an era where distractions are endless, these kids are showing up hungry. Willing to grind, sweat, and scrap for greatness. And what’s more, they’re doing it in a room built with intention. “Scrap Nights was built on the idea that iron sharpens iron,” the organizers noted. And the sparks are flying.
Given Gable Steveson’s gravity in the wrestling world, it’s no wonder these nights are gaining traction. When one of the sport’s most iconic heavyweights throws his name behind something, the ripples are felt fast. But it’s not just about the hype. Steveson’s presence signals a shift from NCAA dominance to mentorship, from collecting wins to cultivating winners. Scrap Night is quickly evolving into more than an event.
It’s becoming a proving ground. With his NCAA career now behind him and speculation swirling about a possible UFC debut, these Scrap Nights offer a glimpse into the heart of who Gable Steveson is. A champion, yes, but more than that, a builder. A mentor. Now, as he turns the page, the Olympic gold medalist who’s already made waves in wrestling is stepping boldly into unfamiliar ground once again.
High-stakes pressure swirls around the Stevesons’ next big move
On August 31, 2025, Gable Steveson will enter a new kind of spotlight. This time against Brazilian jiu-jitsu phenom Craig Jones at the Craig Jones Invitational 2 in Las Vegas. What started as a jaw-dropping April Fool’s Day announcement quickly turned into one of the year’s most anticipated matchups, pitting Steveson’s explosive power and Olympic wrestling pedigree against Jones’ ruthless submission game.
It’s more than just a super fight. It’s a culture clash between styles, mindsets, and legacies. But the Craig Jones showdown isn’t the only battle on Steveson’s radar, because as the grappling world watches, the fight world is listening too. Training alongside heavyweight legend Jon Jones, Steveson has sparked waves of speculation about an MMA debut. And he’s not shy about his intentions.
“I think that’s the best outlet for amateur wrestlers overall,” Steveson shared when asked about the UFC buzz. On a recent episode of Pound-4-Pound, Cejudo, in a candid exchange with Kamaru Usman and Israel Adesanya, questioned if Steveson truly has the fire required for a fight game as brutal as MMA. “We were talking about it yesterday, like Gable Steveson. Yeah, you could be a wrestler. But if you don’t have that fight in you… to us, our heritage is being of Mexican descent, bro. We grew up watching boxing, so it’s part of our heritage.”
Still, Steveson’s training with Jon Jones wasn’t a one-sided experience. Ahead of Jones’ showdown with Stipe Miocic at UFC 309, the two traded knowledge, sharing elite-level insight across their disciplines. Yet not everyone’s convinced Steveson is ready to leap into the Octagon. Former double champ Henry Cejudo has been vocal in his skepticism, arguing that Steveson’s MMA buzz might be arriving too early.
Now, Cejudo’s words cut deeper than just a critique. They reflect a mindset built on grit, generational toughness, and a love for the fight game that runs in the blood. Now the question is, can Gable turn potential into reality in the upcoming fight against Craig Jones? Or will the step up prove just as steep as Cejudo warns?
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