Does Gable Steveson Deserve A UFC Contract?

“I think a special guest was here to come watch me. Mick, you’ve seen a little bit. I would love to show a lot more. “Hopefully, you believe in me, and I appreciate you,” Steveson said

“It’s not a matter of if he can, it’s a matter of when. I’ve had many great teammates over the years, but I’ve always said if I would ever be a coach it would have to be a wrestler who was completely committed to success. I found my guy and I’m excited to add world championship coach to my resume,” Jones stated 

The Reality

As an Olympic Gold Medalist and two-time NCAA Heavyweight Champion in wrestling, Steveson possesses the foundational skill set in MMA: world-class grappling. And his 13-second knockout clearly showcased two crucial, transferable skills: explosive finishing power and the killer instinct. This combination of Olympic-level wrestling—which allows him to dictate where every fight takes place—and newly proven knockout ability makes him one of the most compelling heavyweight prospects in the world.

The 13-second victory, while spectacular, was against Billy Swanson, a veteran who competed in smaller organizations like PFL and Bellator but is not considered elite-level competition, and whose primary focus is often not boxing. Furthermore, Steveson’s boxing technique remains untested against high-level strikers who can manage distance and counter his forward pressure. The UFC typically prefers a fighter to demonstrate a well-rounded skill set (striking defense, submission defense, cardio over multiple rounds) before entering the major ranks.