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Former WWE & Olympic Star To Make MMA Debut

By Lyle Kilbane • Published Aug 20, 2025 07:50 EDT
WWE logo over Gable Steveson Triple H Kurt Angle

A former Olympian turned WWE star is set to swap wrestling for the world of MMA.

Gable Steveson signed a NIL deal with WWE in 2021, just months after claiming a freestyle wrestling Olympic Gold Medal in the 125 kg weight group at the COVID-19 delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

The former two-time NCAA Heavyweight Wrestling Champion made sporadic appearances on-screen after inking his deal with the company, including receiving a high-profile introduction from Stephanie McMahon during night one of WrestleMania 38 in Arlington, Texas.

Just 24 hours later, Steveson was involved in a physical angle with another former Olympian, Chad Gable, at AT&T Stadium, delivering a thunderous suplex to the former NXT Tag Team Champion before sharing a moment of celebration with The Street Profits.

Despite early promising signs during his WWE tenure, Steveson was unable to make the desired impact with the company, competing in just one televised bout with Baron Corbin at NXT The Great American Bash 2023, before his release the following year.

In March 2025, Steveson suffered another unexpected setback in his athletic career, and now it seems he’s in for a complete change of direction.

Gable Steveson Swapping WWE For MMA

LFA announced that the Olympic gold medalist and former WWE talent would make his MMA debut against Braden Peterson at LFA 217.

The event takes place at the Mystic Lake Casino Hotel on September 12th in Prior Lake, Minnesota and will stream on UFC Fight Pass.

Gable Steveson has also attempted to build a career in the NFL after signing a deal with the Buffalo Bills. However, that dream proved to be short-lived as Steveson failed to make the Bills’ practice squad, and he was let go.