Jon Jones’ Coach Gable Steveson Admits Training Reality as Tom Aspinall Rumors Addressed

“He’s going to be scary. He’s going to be very scary when he decides to do MMA. He knows how to make men appear very weak,” said Jon Jones last year about NCAA star Gable Steveson. The 24-year-old Olympic gold medalist had been instrumental in helping ‘Bones’ prepare for his title defense against Stipe Miocic at UFC 309—and the results spoke for themselves. But nearly six months after UFC 309, Steveson’s journey has taken an unexpected turn.

In what was labeled the “biggest upset in NCAA history” this March, the Apple Valley native lost in the NCAA finals against Wyatt Hendrickson—a loss that not only tarnished his previously untouchable amateur resume but also raised questions about his future in wrestling. Naturally, the defeat reignited speculation about a shift to MMA. And what better place to begin than the UFC? Earlier this year, he confirmed plans to meet UFC CEO Dana White “face to face,” a clear sign that his interest in making the leap is serious.

This week, that interest escalated. Gable Steveson publicly called out top UFC heavyweights—interim champion Tom Aspinall, Ciryl Gane, and Sergei Pavlovich — and declared he’d “fight to the death” if given the chance. Yet despite the bravado, the Octagon still remains out of reach for the Olympic champion. With his 25th birthday coming up on May 31, ‘The Golden Gable’ is beginning to feel the pressure. Why now? Look at Jon Jones’ timeline. By 25, ‘Bones’ was already a defending champion on a nine-fight win streak and had just finished Chael Sonnen.

That kind of milestone weighs heavily on Gable Steveson, who recently opened up during an appearance on the OverDogs Podcast with Mike Perry and Josh McLean. When McLean brought up Jon Jones’ earlier praise for the Minnesotan and asked, “How does that feel when you hear that?”, the ex-NCAA star shared his honest reaction:

“Crazy. Crazy. Because, dog, you gotta think about it. We just talked about John fighting for 20 years. When I was with him, I was like, ‘I don’t want to make it seem like you’re old or not, but you were winning when I was nine.’ And I’m like, ‘You went through, you went through two generations of fans. Like, you went through the die-hard UFC fans to the kids with curly hair that want to suddenly put on gloves, with no clue what they’re doing.’”

The sense of urgency was evident as  Gable Steveson reflected on how close he is to hitting that same age ‘Bones’ was when he was already making history. “I was just watching his videos yesterday on YouTube, and I’m looking at a video between him and Chael Sonnen when he was 25. And I’m like, ‘Man, I’m about to be 25 right now. I gotta step up’,” explained Gable Steveson.

Madison Square Garden NEW YORK CITY, NY -NOVEMBER 16:Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic meet in the octagon for a 3-round bout for UFC309 – Jones vs Miocic at Madison Square Garden on November 16, 2024 in New York City, NY Photo by Louis Grasse/PxImages Louis Grasse / SPP PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxBRAxMEX Copyright: xLouisxGrassex/xSPPx spp-en-LoGr-lrg2411164283824_UFCVegas309

At 24, his future remains uncertain. Young as he may be, Gable Steveson has lived a career most athletes only dream of. By 21, he had already etched his name among the NCAA’s all-time greats, compiling an incredible 102-2 record. Following his collegiate dominance, he dipped his toes into both the NFL and WWE. Yet, neither world seemed to truly fit. With no clear landing spot, he eventually returned to the wrestling mat last year for what was billed as one last run.

So what made the Minnesotan turn his back on high-paying opportunities that could’ve brought him instant fame and fortune? To understand that, we need to hear from the man himself.

Why did Jon Jones’ wrestling coach, Gable Steveson, choose MMA over the NFL or WWE?

While MMA may not have the deep-rooted history of traditional sports, its meteoric rise in popularity is undeniable. With a global fanbase that grows by the day, the UFC has solidified its place at the top of the MMA world. Still, when it comes to financial stability and long-term security, the NFL continues to reign supreme, offering players more lucrative contracts. But Gable Steveson’s journey didn’t follow the usual script.

After a short stint with the Buffalo Bills, he stepped away from football before ever playing a game. He pivoted back to wrestling, appearing a handful of times on WWE’s NXT stage, but even there, he couldn’t find a long-term fit. Eventually, he walked away, still searching for his true calling. That spark reignited when he began training alongside UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones. It was then that Gable Steveson found his fire for MMA.

“Man, I want to put the gloves on. I want to be a UFC star,” he told Mike Perry. But it wasn’t just about stardom. The 24-year-old continued, “I want to be a champion. I want to hold that belt up high and compete in the heavyweight division. And I think the main thing is taking my time and making sure everything is polished and right. So, when I do launch that rocket ship—it’s not coming back down. That’s the focus right now.”

So, what’s your take on Gable Steveson’s MMA journey? Do you think the former NCAA star can replicate the success he had on the wrestling mats? More importantly, can he live up to the expectations placed on him by someone like Jon Jones? Drop your thoughts below.

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