Jon Jones‘ protege, Gable Steveson, is the subsequent massive identify in MMA, and though the 25-year-old has not but signed with the UFC, he’s maybe essentially the most mentioned heavyweight fighter on the planet presently.
Whereas Jones lately hinted at potential retirement and never getting into the octagon once more, he’s getting ready Steveson and has massive plans for the latter.
For the unversed, Gable Steveson is an Olympic wrestling gold medalist, a 2-time NCAA Division I nationwide champion, and a 5-time All-American. He additionally holds a number of different accolades. Steveson made his MMA debut final yr at LFA 217 towards Braden Peterson and received by way of technical knockout within the first spherical.
Later that yr, he confronted Kevin Hein and as soon as once more secured a first-round stoppage victory. Stevenson at the moment boasts an expert MMA document of 2-0 and goes to face Hugo Lezama (11-3) later this month at MFL 3.
Jon Jones says Gable Steveson will “wreck” different heavyweights
Based on Jon Jones, the rising MMA star will probably be a UFC champion by this time subsequent yr. ‘Bones’ lately confessed that Steveson is a greater athlete than he was at an early stage of his profession, and the 25-year-old goes to “wreck” folks within the UFC heavyweight division. In a recent interview with Helen Yee Sports, Jones mentioned:
“He’s [Gable Steveson] unbelievable. He’s an unbelievable athlete, human being. He’s far more disciplined and devoted than I ever was at his age, and I’m scared. I’m scared for the way forward for the UFC. Like, he’s going to wreck sh*t. He’s gonna wreck folks.”
The previous two-division UFC champ added that Gable Steveson has every thing in his arsenal {that a} fighter must be a champion, and the latter will seize the UFC heavyweight strap in 2027.
“This time subsequent yr, I might see it taking place [Gable Steveson becoming UFC champ]. As soon as he indicators with the UFC, there’s gonna be no stopping him. He can strike, and I feel that’s his weak spot proper now. His grappling is simply by the roof. His takedowns are unstoppable to cease, his floor and pound is efficient, his sense to know the place his physique is always. He simply has all of it. And as soon as he actually learns what he’s doing, it’s not gonna be truthful.”
Nonetheless, Jon Jones additionally added that he has to arrange the 25-year-old and have him established earlier than the latter steps into the octagon. So UFC followers should wait just a little longer.
“Proper now, now we have objectives outdoors of the UFC. We wanna have him established in order that when he will get into the UFC, he has no questions on what he’s able to.”
Try Jon Jones’ feedback under (1:58):
The UFC heavyweight division feels prefer it’s shedding its spark. Champion Tom Aspinall is sidelined with an eye fixed damage. Apart from Aspinall, Ciryl Gane, Waldo Cortes-Acosta, Sergei Pavlovich, and some others, followers have repeatedly criticized the division’s athleticism.
With Jon Jones unlikely to ever return, maybe his disciple might assist revive a division that after thrived.
