You don’t come across many days when giants are slayed and titans are dethroned! But that’s exactly what happened at the 2025 NCAA Wrestling Championship Finals held at Wells Fargo Arena in front of a thunderous crowd of 18826. Just like Larry Owings spoiled Dan Gable’s tryst with destiny in his attempt to capture a third national title, Wyatt Hendrickson did the same to former Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson. After a two-year hiatus from competition, the Apple Valley native also had his 70-match collegiate winning streak snapped. Talk about history-making moments!
“I didn’t care if I had to rip my arms off squeezing him, I was like, ‘I am holding this man down and winning this match.’” Oklahoma State’s second-seeded juggernaut stated. In the dramatic final 30 seconds of the round, Hendrickson took Steveson down, earning three points and causing what many are calling the “biggest upset” in NCAA wrestling history with an aggregate of 5-4.
The shockwaves of the Indiana export’s loss reverberated beyond the wrestling world and into the MMA community, where many had considered him a future UFC heavyweight champion. Steveson had been gaining attention since last year, training with reigning UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones to refine his wrestling skills in preparation for his clash with Stipe Miocic at UFC 309.
Following Steveson’s unexpected defeat, ‘Bones’ shared a heartfelt message on his Instagram story, addressing his 24-year-old coach: “Proud of my brother. A loss on the mat doesn’t define anything; his work ethic, heart, and character speak for themselves. One of the hardest-working, most impressive young men I’ve met in a long time. Higher and higher we climb.”
NCAA, College League, USA Wrestling: DI Wrestling Mar 21, 2025, Philadelphia, PA, USA Gable Steveson of Minnesota looks on before the quarterfinals of the NCAA Wrestling Championships at Wells Fargo Center. Philadelphia Wells Fargo Center PA USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xBillxStreicherx 20250321_bs_sq4_00146
The New Mexico native wasn’t the only one disappointed by Steveson’s loss. Former UFC heavyweight champion and NCAA wrestling legend Daniel Cormier, who was also in the crowd at Wells Fargo Arena, witnessed the upset firsthand. Cormier later shared his thoughts on X. DC wrote, “That was the craziest ending in NCAA wrestling history. What a moment. I’m so lucky to say I was here.” But Cormier wasn’t just a spectator—he was also part of ESPN’s broadcasting team. Despite his announcement of retirement from NCAA commentary after the 2024 tournament, Cormier proved he still has a significant presence in the sport, showing he’s far from finished.
Gable Steveson, who previously explored careers in the NFL and had a brief stint with WWE, found those paths unappealing. The 24-year-old from Apple Valley returned to the wrestling mats last November, with hopes of reclaiming his former glory.
However, his collegiate wrestling career came to an unexpected halt today when he faced off against Air Force’s Wyatt Hendrickson. Amidst this loss, the question remains: What’s next for the two-time NCAA champion? Let’s hear from the experts on what the future holds.
What’s next for Jon Jones’ wrestling coach, Gable Steveson?
Since its inception, the UFC has been a breeding ground for some of the most successful fighters, many of whom have come from the NCAA, including Daniel Cormier, Cain Velasquez, and Brock Lesnar. Meanwhile, rising middleweight contender and Penn State Alum Bo Nickal is already making waves on his path to a title shot, signaling a future filled with both success and financial gain. Gable Steveson, recognizing the opportunities ahead, recently admitted, “The door to MMA is slowly starting to open up.”
Steveson had expressed his enjoyment of the fusion between wrestling, boxing, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, skills he got to experience firsthand while sparring with Jon Jones ahead of UFC 309. As ‘The Golden Gable’s collegiate wrestling career comes to a close, veteran journalist Damon Martin offered his thoughts on the 24-year-old’s potential future.
In response to Daniel Cormier’s query on X regarding Gable Steveson’s uncertain future, he remarked, “Daniel Cormier notes that the MMA world is already excited at the possibility of Gable Steveson fighting. He would be one of the greatest prospect to ever try it.”
How do you assess Gable Steveson’s performance against Wyatt Hendrickson? Do you think MMA is the right move for him, as Jon Jones envisions, or should he heed Daniel Cormier’s advice and return to WWE to build his career in professional wrestling? Cormier once said, “If I were Gable Steveson, I’d go to WWE first” to make money. Let us know your thoughts below.
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