“Bring anybody you want. I will finish him, Just like that”, he announces after he wont the fight. When he stepped into the cage with fire in his eyes, he delivered a performance that’s still buzzing among MMA enthusiasts. This amateur bantamweight from Chicago, Illinois, has been carving his name into the Midwest fight scene, and his latest triumph was no ordinary. Well, his track record speaks volumes; he holds a 2-0-0 amateur MMA record, competing at bantamweight and featherweight, with his latest known fight against Jorge Carmona, which he won comfortably. Ranked #99 among amateur bantamweights in the US Midwest, his aggressive style and Chicago grit shine through. But this fight was different. The night was special for Pernevlon “P Weezy” Sheppard. Apart from his victory fight, the presence of a legend set this night apart.
Well, Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson was in his corner, lending world-class support. Sheppard took to Instagram, posting his picture alongside Gable in the ring, with the text, “Man, y’all know how I’m coming!!! Big thanks to the Olympic gold medalist for being in my corner.” That gratitude sparked waves of excitement, blending wrestling and MMA fandom. So, who is Sheppard, and why does this moment matter?
Gable had an endearing reaction to his post—answering entirely in emojis.” ” So what is Steveson’s Ringside impact??
Gable Steveson, the 2020 Tokyo Olympic freestyle wrestling gold medalist at 125kg, is a name that commands respect. His technical mastery and flair for the spotlight made him a natural fit to back Sheppard. Though there seems to be no prior connection, both share wrestling roots—Sheppard himself was a standout at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, where he went 7-8 in the 2018-19 season and qualified for the NCAA Division II National Championships three times. Steveson’s presence likely offered strategic insight and a morale boost, given his crossover between pro wrestling and MMA aspirations.
While at 27, assuming he’s continued since his 2019 college wrestling days, Sheppard is hitting his prime. His #4,989 North American MMA ranking reflects his early career stage, he’s already making noise in Illinois, Indiana, and the Midwest. Steveson, on the other hand, is bracing for his next big challenge.
Gable’s superfight with Craig Jones, around the corner
Gable Steveson, the Olympic gold medalist who’s danced across wrestling mats, WWE rings, and even NFL fields, is stepping into uncharted territory. On August 31, 2025, he’ll face Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) ace Craig Jones in a superfight at the Craig Jones Invitational 2 (CJI 2) at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. This clash, announced by Jones on Instagram on April 1, 2025, initially raised eyebrows due to the April Fool’s timing, but it’s been confirmed as legit—a seismic collision of wrestling and BJJ. For the fans, this feels like a blockbuster: Steveson’s raw athleticism versus Jones’ submission wizardry. Beyond his recent corner work for Pernevlon Sheppard, Steveson’s own spotlight moment is coming fast. What makes this matchup so electrifying?
CJI 2 isn’t just another grappling event—it’s a bold stage that shook the combat sports world last year by rivaling the ADCC with a million-dollar prize pool. Set for three five-minute rounds under CJI rules, where a submission ends the match, this superfight pits Steveson against Jones in a pit-style arena with slanted walls to keep the action relentless. Jones, a two-time ADCC medalist, stunned fans by submitting IBJJF Hall of Famer Gabi Garcia at CJI 1 in 2024 via rear-naked choke at 4:39 of round two. Steveson, meanwhile, is a BJJ rookie, making this his submission grappling debut. Can an Olympic wrestler adapt to a new ruleset?
Gable Steveson’s leap into CJI 2 against Craig Jones is more than a superfight—it’s a test of wrestling’s grit against BJJ’s craft. From backing Pernevlon Sheppard to headlining in Vegas, Steveson’s 2025 is a whirlwind. Jones, with his sharp skills and sharper tongue, aims to school the Olympian, but Steveson’s size and hunger could rewrite the script. As August 31 nears, the grappling world’s buzzing with one question: can Gable shock the pit, or will Jones add another legend to his highlight reel?
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