MMA news: Joe Rogan backs Jon Jones–trained Gable Steveson to be next UFC heavyweight star
Gable Steveson is set to fight Hugo Lezama as part of the Mexico Fight League on Thursday, February 19 at the Showcenter Complex in Monterrey, Mexico.
Steveson won Olympic gold at 125kg in wrestling, competed in the WWE for three years, and is currently 2-0 in his MMA career.
Lezama, however, presents Steveson’s biggest MMA challenge yet, boasting a record of 11-3 when the American’s last two opponents had a combined four fights.
Fans and analysts view the 25-year-old Steveson as the future of the heavyweight division given his wrestling pedigree, writes Sports News Blitz’s MMA expert Samuel Faris-Clark.
Rogan praises Steveson
Joe Rogan sang Steveson’s praises on his podcast, The Joe Rogan Experience, saying: “The heavyweight division is so devoid of talent.
“Gable Steveson is the f**king guy.
“I sent him [Dana White] a video of Gable’s last fight. I said: ‘Everyone’s f**ked when this guy comes.’”
Steveson’s career is in good hands while he is being mentored by Jon Jones, who many consider the GOAT of MMA.
And despite only being 2-0, Steveson already has the firm attention of the UFC, with matchmaker Hunter Cambell in attendance at his Dirty Boxing Championship fight last October.
READ MORE: MMA analysis: Top-heavy, no depth - The quiet decline of the UFC’s heavyweight division
Future heavyweight champion?
While talking to ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, Steveson revealed that his team is in frequent contact with the UFC.
“We’ve been in contact – after every fight, there’s a call with my team and it’s all positive stuff,” Steveson said.
“When I’m ready to go, I’ll jump ship, and I’ve relayed that message to them.”
In the same interview, Steveson admitted he was eyeing up a UFC debut as soon as the White House card on June 14.
“I think there’s a spot for me, especially being a US Olympic champion,” he added.
Steveson has drawn comparisons with former UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar as both spent time in amateur and professional wrestling before moving to MMA.
Lesnar’s background in amateur wrestling famously gave him the skills to win the UFC heavyweight title in just his fourth fight.
It is fair to say that Steveson could do similar, with his more prestigious amateur wrestling career and the shallow nature of the heavyweight division combining to allow such a feat.
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