Gable Steveson To Make Pro MMA Fighting Debut On September 12

By
Matt Boone
-

A former WWE NXT standout is set to test himself in the world of mixed martial arts.

Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson, who spent time training with UFC legend Jon Jones, has officially signed with Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA) and will make his professional MMA debut next month.

Steveson is scheduled to compete at LFA 217 on September 12, where he’ll face Braden Peterson (1-0) in a three-round contest. The card will be available to stream live on UFC Fight Pass.

The promotion confirmed the news this week, welcoming the decorated amateur wrestler to their roster. “Welcome to the LFANation,” LFA wrote. “Congratulations to top prospect Gable Steveson on officially signing with the LFA. We’re excited to have you on board.”

From Olympic Gold to the Cage

Steveson won Olympic gold in freestyle wrestling at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics in the heavyweight division. The 24-year-old from Minnesota also won two NCAA Division I championships at the University of Minnesota. His time in WWE was short-lived, as Steveson struggled in sports entertainment despite his wrestling credentials.

Training with Jon Jones gives Steveson access to one of MMA’s most successful fighters. Jones made his own transition from wrestling to become a longtime UFC light heavyweight champion. Steveson’s opponent, Braden Peterson, has one professional win under his belt. Early MMA odds will likely favor the Olympic champion, though Peterson’s experience could be a factor.

Many wrestlers have found success at heavyweight in MMA. Steveson’s wrestling skills should help him control fights, but he’ll need to learn how to strike and defend submissions to advance his career.

Legacy Fighting Alliance has sent many fighters to the UFC and other major promotions. For Steveson, this debut is his first test in a new sport after dominating wrestling competition for years.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR