One other former Olympic champion might be becoming a member of the skilled MMA world, as Gable Steveson is ready to make his debut within the sport subsequent month.
Steveson, who gained gold on the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in 2021, might be featured within the co-main occasion of LFA 217 on September 12, taking over Braden Peterson.
Welcome to the #LFANation Congratulations to prime prospect @gablesteveson1 on formally signing with the #LFA We’re excited to have you ever on board
pic.twitter.com/lEcjaL0Die
— LFA (@LFAfighting) August 19, 2025
The MMA battle can even come simply a few weeks following Steveson’s scheduled submission grappling debut. Steveson will compete towards Craig Jones on the Craig Jones Invitational 2 on August 31.
Gable Steveson To Make Skilled MMA Debut At LFA 217
Competing in wrestling for practically all of his life, Steveson, who competed for the College of Minnesota, is probably the most effective NCAA wrestlers in fashionable historical past. He was a five-time NCAA Division-I All-American, a two-time nationwide champion, a four-time Massive Ten convention champion, and a two-time Dan Hodge Trophy winner.
Steveson fell wanting capturing the 2025 NCAA heavyweight nationwide title this previous March, falling quick within the closing seconds of his bout with Wyatt Hendrickson. The bout, the final of Steveson’s NCAA profession, snapped a 70-bout win streak.
Along with his freestyle wrestling Olympic gold and NCAA success, Steveson was a 2021 Pan-American champion, a 2017 U20 world champion, and a 2015 and 2016 U17 world champion.
Steveson’s profession, nonetheless, was briefly halted in 2019 when he and a teammate have been arrested and suspended from all workforce actions at Minnesota following accusations of sexual assault. Prison expenses have been dropped on the finish of the 12 months attributable to an absence of proof.
Steveson additionally halted his NCAA senior season after signing an NIL (Subsequent In-Line) cope with the WWE in 2021, changing into the second Olympic gold medalist to be signed by the WWE, following 1996 Olympic gold winner Kurt Angle. Steveson’s appearances, nonetheless, have been sporadic and he could be launched in 2024.
Not lengthy after his WWE launch, Steveson, regardless of by no means taking part in soccer earlier than, tried to make the roster of the NFL’s Buffalo Payments. He could be launched following the 2024 pre-season.
Peterson, Stevenson’s opponent, went 4-1 on the newbie MMA circuit this 12 months, selecting up an newbie tremendous heavyweight title within the course of. Peterson made his skilled MMA debut in July, scoring a 14-second end of Chris Thompson.
