The world of MMA is abuzz with the rise of a new star, and it's not who you might expect. But here's the twist: a former Olympic champion is now making a name for himself in the cage, and it's causing a stir among the greats.
Gable Steveson, the 2020 Olympic gold medalist in freestyle wrestling, has set his sights on mixed martial arts, and his rapid success is turning heads. With none other than Jon Jones as his coach, Steveson is on a winning streak in both MMA and Dirty Boxing. His debut in MMA saw him dominate with a 98-second knockout, and his Dirty Boxing debut was even more impressive, ending in just 13 seconds!
This incredible performance has led to high praise from an unlikely source—Daniel Cormier, Jones' former rival. Cormier, a renowned commentator, has boldly proclaimed Steveson as America's best prospect for a UFC championship. He believes Steveson's wrestling prowess and Jones' coaching could be a recipe for success in the heavyweight division, which currently lacks top-tier wrestlers.
But here's where it gets controversial. Cormier's previous pick for this title was Bo Nickal, another highly-touted wrestler with an undefeated MMA record. However, a recent underwhelming performance against Paul Craig and a loss to Reinier de Ridder have somewhat dimmed Nickal's star. Now, Cormier's new favorite has the MMA community talking.
Jones, meanwhile, is relishing his role as Steveson's coach, stating that it 'feels like cheating' due to Steveson's exceptional talent. As Jones explores new paths in the sport, his mentorship of Steveson is a fascinating development, especially given their shared wrestling background.
Will Steveson live up to the hype and become America's next UFC champion? Only time will tell, but the excitement surrounding his journey is undeniable. And this is the part most people miss: the impact of a legendary coach like Jones on a rising star like Steveson could shape the future of MMA. What do you think? Is Steveson destined for greatness, or is this a case of too much, too soon?
