Gable Steveson’s rise draws UFC interest after another fast finish

A breakthrough moment

Gable Steveson’s latest appearance in Anthony Pettis’ APFC promotion lasted barely half a minute, but it was long enough to push his name further into UFC conversation.

According to the APFC broadcast, the 25 year old landed a short, heavy left hand that dropped Kevin Hein almost immediately, then followed through on a takedown attempt as the referee rushed in to intervene. The official briefly slipped during the stoppage, adding a chaotic note to what had already become a decisive finish.

For Steveson, who celebrated before realizing the referee had tumbled behind him, the win marked his second professional victory and reinforced the impression that he is adjusting quickly to the striking demands of MMA.

Momentum built on more than knockouts

Steveson has been in the spotlight for most of his athletic life. He won Olympic gold in freestyle wrestling at the Tokyo Games, became a two time NCAA Division I champion at the University of Minnesota, and later signed with WWE while also exploring opportunities in football with the NFL’s Buffalo Bills. His shift into MMA, though, has been framed as a long term ambition rather than an experiment.

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His first professional bout under the Legacy Fighting Alliance banner last September ended in another fast finish, a 99 second knockout of Branden Peterson with Jon Jones in his corner.

Jones has since continued mentoring Steveson, praising his athletic potential and helping him adapt his wrestling based style to MMA’s broader demands. Those sessions, according to Jones, involve a heavy emphasis on footwork, distance management and safe entries into takedowns, skills that often take years for wrestlers to refine.

Fan reaction urges UFC to act

After Full Send MMA posted a clip of the APFC knockout on X, fans filled the comments with calls for UFC CEO Dana White to sign Steveson sooner rather than later. One user wrote that White should “sign this guy already, DWCS is too far away,” while another joked that the brief APFC bout contained “more action in 20 seconds than a five round Sean Strickland fight.”

Some pointed to Steveson’s work with Jones as a sign that his striking ceiling could rise quickly. Others argued he already looks capable of competing with unranked UFC heavyweights, and a few projected that he could break into the top fifteen if he continues to develop.

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What comes next for Steveson

Steveson has also trained with Brock Lesnar, another crossover star whose path from heavyweight wrestling to combat sports offers a useful comparison. While Steveson is far less experienced in MMA than Lesnar was when he entered the UFC, his supporters believe his athletic background gives him a comparable foundation.

Speaking on the Jim Rome Show, Dana White acknowledged the growing attention, saying the promotion “are definitely keeping our eyes on him, and we’ll see how this plays out.” That comment fueled speculation that a contract offer could arrive earlier than expected, with some fans even wondering whether Steveson might debut at the UFC’s planned White House showcase event.

If the UFC does make a move, Steveson would enter one of the sport’s most unpredictable divisions, where physical strength and explosive speed can accelerate a newcomer’s rise but inexperience is punished quickly. For now, he remains one of MMA’s most talked about prospects, with momentum continuing to build each time he steps into the cage.

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