What happens when a once-in-a-generation talent trades Olympic glory for a journey that’s taken more turns than a rollercoaster? You get Gable Steveson—a man who’s done it all, yet still has the world asking: is he done with the Olympics, or is there one more run in him? Olympic champ? Check. WWE star? Briefly. NFL star? Somehow, yes. Since his golden moment in Tokyo, Gable’s been hopping between worlds. And now, with an MMA debut looming, it’s only fair to wonder whether the Olympic mat still calls to him—or if that chapter’s already closed.
Gable Steveson could easily be called the most successful NCAA wrestler of all time. Somewhat. His unblemished collegiate career was disrupted at the NCAA D1 finals at the Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia.Wyatt Hendrickson of Oklahoma dealt the Gopher’s star a resounding 5-4 defeat in the final minutes of the match. It was a reality check not just for him, but for everyone watching. So now, the question looms—what’s next? Considering his past statements about eyeing Olympic gold in LA 2028, is that dream still alive, or has it quietly slipped off the radar?
Before the 2024-25 NCAA wrestling season, Gable Steveson had hinted that the LA-28 Olympic flame was still flickering. In an interview with Nine.com.au, he said, “I do have goals in mind—I would love to go to LA in 2028. Winning the Olympics in America would be such a big thing.” It sounded like the plan was to chase another NCAA gold, this time on home soil. But after falling in a stunning upset to Wyatt Hendrickson in the NCAA finals—and now preparing to face BJJ ace Craig Jones at CJI 2—fans are left wondering if that LA dream is still alive.
But fast forward to now, and he’s training with UFC heavyweight champ Jon Jones and throwing down in the gym with serious MMA talent. “The door of MMA is slowly starting to open up,” Steveson told MMA Fighting, adding that putting on the gloves “definitely lit a fire” in him. Reflecting on his training experience, Steveson remarked, “After being in that camp with Jon Jones, that definitely put a major spark in me to go out there and do MMA.“ Jones himself has praised Steveson’s potential, stating, “He’s gonna be scary. He’s gonna be very scary when he decides to do MMA. He knows how to make men appear very weak.“
Juggling both MMA and the Olympics? Yeah, that’s a tall order—even for someone like Steveson. Right now, he’s leaning into MMA, training with Jon Jones and getting ready to throw down in a whole new arena. But it makes you wonder: what about that big goal he talked about—winning gold at LA 2028? Certainly, he has got what it takes to bring another gold. Even accounting for his recent defeat, Steveson is still at the top of the game. So, are wrestling plans still on the table, or is it starting to take a backseat? Can he pull off both at once, or is it time to pick a lane?
Trying to chase Olympic gold while jumping into the MMA cage? That’s no walk in the park—even for someone like Gable Steveson. Sure, athletes like Henry Cejudo and Ronda Rousey have done both, but not at the same time. The Olympic world and the pro fight scene have always had their lines, even if they’ve blurred a bit over the years. Take boxing, for instance—AIBA once pushed to let pros throw down with amateurs at the Olympics. So yeah, it’s doable, but pulling off both at once? That’s a scheduling and regulatory nightmare. Which brings us back to Gable—if LA 2028 is still on his radar, why didn’t he even throw his hat in the ring for Paris 2024?
Paris was a no-go, but Gable Steveson’s Olympic flame isn’t burnt out yet
Gable Steveson, the Olympic gold medalist from Tokyo 2020, did not defend his title at the Paris 2024 Games. According to Star Tribune, Steveson had originally qualified for the U.S. Olympic Trials but chose not to participate. USA Wrestling confirmed the news, stating Steveson “declined to enter” the trials, effectively ruling him out of contention for Paris. No official reason was given for his withdrawal, but the decision surprised many, given his previous dominance and competitive form. What made it more doubtful?
The timing of his decision coincided closely with his WWE departure. As reported by the New York Post, Steveson was released from WWE in May 2024, and the Olympic trials had taken place in June. His exit from the company had an “Olympics twist,” as it came too late for him to shift focus back to freestyle wrestling and make a run for Paris. Now, with MMA on deck and LA 2028 still floating in the background, the door isn’t fully closed on his Olympic comeback. But whether he makes that walk again in red, white, and blue—or sticks to the cage—only time will tell.
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