Here’s a bold statement: Gable Steveson, the 2020 Olympic gold medalist in freestyle wrestling, could be the UFC heavyweight champion right now. Yes, you read that correctly. And this is the part most people miss—despite his limited MMA experience, former welterweight Matt Brown believes Steveson is already championship material. But here’s where it gets controversial: Brown isn’t just hyping Steveson’s potential; he’s outright saying the 25-year-old could beat current UFC heavyweights like Tom Aspinall or Ciryl Gane today. Let that sink in.
Steveson’s journey to this point is nothing short of remarkable. After dominating freestyle wrestling at the University of Minnesota and earning five All-American honors, he briefly explored American football and WWE before setting his sights on MMA. And while wrestling is often hailed as the ultimate foundation for cage success, Steveson hasn’t even needed to lean on it heavily yet. Instead, he’s flattened both of his MMA opponents with strikes, including a jaw-dropping 24-second KO in his most recent bout. This has fueled the hype train, with Joe Rogan and others predicting big things for the young athlete.
But Brown’s claim is a step beyond even Rogan’s optimism. During an episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer, Brown declared, ‘He could be champion literally today.’ He went on to explain that while anything can happen in MMA, he’d confidently bet on Steveson to outmatch the current champion. ‘I wouldn’t put my money against it if they fought tomorrow,’ he added, suggesting Aspinall’s best shot would likely be a submission—a risky move against a wrestler of Steveson’s caliber.
Controversial Interpretation Alert: Is Brown’s confidence in Steveson justified, or is he underestimating the experience gap? After all, Aspinall and Gane are seasoned veterans with proven track records in the Octagon. Could Steveson’s wrestling prowess truly bridge that gap overnight? Or is this a case of overhyping a rising star?
Steveson himself isn’t shy about his ambitions. He’s targeting a UFC debut at the marquee White House event in Washington D.C. on June 14, 2026, following a few more regional wins to solidify his resume. ‘That’s my perfect world,’ he shared on The Joe Rogan Experience. But until then, the debate rages on: Is Gable Steveson ready for the UFC’s elite, or is he being thrust into the spotlight too soon?
Thought-Provoking Question: Do you think Gable Steveson could beat Tom Aspinall or Ciryl Gane right now, or is Matt Brown’s prediction a stretch? Let us know in the comments—we want to hear your take!
