Gable Steveson Eyes Third Pro Fight
Olympic gold medalist wrestler Gable Steveson is making waves in professional fighting ahead of his third heavyweight bout. The former wrestler is downplaying pressure while focusing on performance and potential as his pro career gains momentum.
- Before his professional fighting career, Steveson had an extensive and successful amateur wrestling career, winning a gold medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics and two NCAA Division I national championships for the University of Minnesota. He was also a two-time recipient of the Dan Hodge Trophy, awarded to the nation's best college wrestler. - Steveson's transition to professional combat sports included a brief period with WWE and signing with the NFL's Buffalo Bills as a defensive tackle before he committed to mixed martial arts. - His upcoming bout on February 19, 2026, will be against Hugo Lezama, a fighter with a professional record of 11-3, representing a significant step up in competition for Steveson. The fight is scheduled to take place at Mexico Fight League 3 in Monterrey, Mexico. - Steveson's professional MMA record currently stands at 2-0, with both victories achieved via first-round knockouts. His total time in the cage for these two fights is just over two minutes. - In addition to his two MMA fights, Steveson also competed in a "Dirty Boxing" match in October 2025, a unique ruleset that allows for elbows and ground and pound while the opponent is on the mat. - To prepare for his MMA career, Steveson has been training with high-profile figures in the sport, including UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones.
