Hold onto your seats, fight fans, because the UFC heavyweight division might be on the brink of a seismic shift! Joe Rogan has just dropped a bombshell, naming Gable Steveson as the rising star who could dominate the division—and he’s not alone in this bold prediction. But here’s where it gets controversial: Rogan believes only one man in the UFC could potentially stop Steveson’s meteoric rise, and it’s not who you might think.
Gable Steveson, the 2020 Olympic gold medalist in freestyle wrestling, has been making waves in the combat sports world. With a string of lightning-fast victories—two in MMA and one under the Dirty Boxing banner—he’s already proving why he’s a force to be reckoned with. His blend of speed, power, and athleticism has everyone buzzing, and many are betting on him to sign with the UFC and climb to the top in record time. But Rogan recently pointed out the only fighter with the wrestling prowess to challenge Steveson: his own mentor, Jon Jones.
Yes, you read that right. Jon Jones, the former heavyweight and light heavyweight champion, is the only heavyweight Rogan believes can go toe-to-toe with Steveson on the mat. And this is the part most people miss: Steveson’s wrestling skills might even surpass those of Daniel Cormier, according to Rogan. During a recent episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, he praised Steveson’s freakish athleticism, saying, ‘He’s a freak, man. And he’s training with Jon Jones… He’s coming, and they are all in trouble.’
But let’s pause for a moment. Is it fair to crown Steveson as the next big thing before he’s even stepped into the UFC Octagon? And what about Jones, who’s nearing the end of his career and locked in a feud with Dana White over his comeback plans? Could he really be the only one to stop Steveson, or is Rogan overestimating his protégé’s mentor? These questions are sparking heated debates among fans and analysts alike.
Adding fuel to the fire, Steveson’s coach, Greg Jackson—the same mastermind behind much of Jones’s success—has drawn parallels between the two fighters. Jackson highlighted Steveson’s creativity in the ring, a trait he shares with Jones. ‘Gable does remind me of a young Jon Jones in their creativity,’ Jackson said backstage at Anthony Pettis FC 21, where Steveson delivered a jaw-dropping 24-second knockout. ‘They’re both incredibly creative, and that’s what Jon is trying to impart into Gable.’
So, here’s the million-dollar question: Is Gable Steveson destined for greatness, or is the hype train moving too fast? And is Jon Jones truly the only fighter who can stand in his way? We want to hear from you! Drop your thoughts in the comments below and let’s keep this debate alive. 🤼
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