Ex-WWE Star To Launch MMA Career After Training With UFC Legend Jon Jones
A former WWE star is looking for a meeting with UFC boss Dana White.
After dominating the amateur wrestling scene at both collegiate and Olympic levels, Gable Steveson was tipped to do the same after he signed with WWE.
However, Steveson’s WWE career posed more questions than answers and he was released in May 2024 after just one televised match. Following his departure, Steveson attempted to launch a career in the NFL, despite never having played football to any significant degree. Although he signed a deal with the Buffalo Bills, he was released three months later.
Since then, Gable Steveson returned to wrestle for the University of Minnesota where he became the first five-time All-American in Minnesota history. But more recently he suffered a shock defeat to Oklahoma State heavyweight Wyatt Hendrickson in the national finals.
Ex-WWE Star Gable Steveson Starting MMA Career
Keen to put that disappointment behind him, Steveson now has his sights set on a career in MMA. During an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, Steveson revealed he’s been working with UFC legend Jon Jones as he prepares for his latest challenge.
“Just making sure I can get my hands certified and ready, making sure that I can see punches and make sure that I’m comfortable in the cage and comfortable with guys in front of me that are going to throwing these huge haymakers, and getting in and getting out of the way.
I got a great mentor right now. I hope a lot of people know a guy named Jon Jones…he’s pretty damn good [laughs], and I appreciate his efforts of trying to lead me into the right direction and taking my back and giving me the direction I need. I’m really young, and he’s been there and he’s done that before, so I’m really appreciative of how he’s kind of walked my steps leading into this next chapter, if that’s what it is.”
Steveson added that he’s hoping to have a meeting with Dana White after the UFC boss reached out to him back in 2021.
“I think that’s the best outlet for amateur wrestlers overall, and I have not spoken to Dana personally. That’s one meeting that I would love to have face-to-face. I’ve been waiting a long time to see him. I know after the 2021 Olympics, he reached out to me and wanted me to come see him in Vegas and everything else.
So that’s one meeting that I would love to have and love to see. So if I can get in front of his face and really pitch who I and pitch who he can see and who I will be, I think that would be the greatest thing.”
Meanwhile, Logan Paul revealed that his own pitch to UFC boss Dana White had been ignored. The YouTube and WWE star texted White telling him he was available to fight at UFC 300, but his message went unanswered.
H/t to Fightful