Gable Steveson, an Olympic gold medalist already, is officially willing to skip the 2028 Olympics to pursue his “destiny” as a UFC champion. Yeah, you heard that right, a shot at more gold on the world stage might be off the table because this guy has his sights set on UFC gold, and he is not messing around with his process.
Playing the Long Game in the Octagon
Steveson knows what it takes to dominate at an elite level, and he is bringing that same calculated mindset to the UFC. Forget all those fighters who try to sprint their way to a title, because Steveson sees UFC 331, his upcoming second fight, as just one more step in a super patient process. Remember, this dude won an Olympic gold medal and two NCAA Division I championships, all built on years and years of repetition. He’s applying that exact same patience to MMA, a sport he’s still figuring out, even a year after his debut. He put it perfectly to CBS Sports: “It’s like a college football player playing his first game at Alabama. You try to rush it and make sure to get things done in an overly correct way. This time, in my second appearance, I’m going to slow things down, really pick it apart, be a natural at what I do, let the crowd gravitate to me and dominate.” That’s the mindset of a true champion, taking his time to build something special.
New Tools and the Heavyweight Hunt
In his professional MMA debut in July, Steveson found out his hands pack serious power, and he even threw a flying knee against Elisha Ellison. Now, heading into Saturday’s fight against Sean Sharaf, he’s not just relying on his wrestling, which, let’s be real, is not going anywhere. He’s actively experimenting with new tools. “We were practicing spinning back elbows before we came in,” Steveson said, hinting at what’s coming. “You can see something new is coming. People are going to feel it. On Saturday, you’re going to see a whole other level of Gable Steveson. I’m excited to show people elbows, knees, kicks. Anything on the body part that works, it’ll hit him.” The UFC heavyweight division just saw a big shake-up, too. Tom Aspinall, still recovering from eye injuries that sidelined him last year, vacated the title, making interim champion Ciryl Gane the undisputed champ. Heavyweight is always hungry for its next big star, and Steveson’s combination of credentials, athleticism, and name recognition makes him a prime candidate.
Why Steveson’s Refusal to Rush Matters
Even with the heavyweight division looking for its next big attraction, Steveson is not jumping the gun. When asked if he’d take a top-five opportunity if the UFC offered it after Saturday, he didn’t even hesitate. “I think we say, ‘no,’ and make sure that business is in the right spot,” he stated. “We start with that. A lot of people don’t make sure their business is in the right spot.” He’s been through the business grind with the NFL and WWE, so he knows what he’s doing. This Saturday, at UFC 331, Steveson isn’t just fighting Sean Sharaf, he’s showing the world his deliberate, undeniable march toward the top. Get ready to see what “a whole other level of Gable Steveson” looks like.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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