Gable Steveson didn’t get the end in wished in his ultimate faculty wrestling match however that received’t deter his plans for the longer term.
The 2020 Olympic gold medalist in wrestling suffered a stunning loss to Oklahoma State’s Wyatt Hendrickson this previous Saturday evening within the 285-pound finals on the NCAA Division I Wrestling Nationwide Championships in Philadelphia. Steveson returned to the College of Minnesota for his ultimate 12 months of eligibility after already capturing two NCAA titles and his Olympic gold medal earlier than a brief stint in WWE and a tryout with the Buffalo Payments within the NFL.
“I’m not proud of the outcomes that occurred this previous weekend,” Steveson informed The Pat McAfee Present on Monday. “However it’s a blessing to go on the market in entrance of the group, in entrance of the largest stage and since leaving 2022, I’ve all the time wished to go on the market and provides one final good push for the College of Minnesota. That’s what I attempted to do.
“I attempted to make issues as massive as potential and I really like the present. I really like going on the market and feeling the jitters, having your coronary heart racing, having an incredible opponent throughout from you and win or lose, the street doesn’t finish for me and I maintain going ahead.”
Even previous to the beginning of the faculty wrestling season, Steveson informed MMA Combating that he was already considering a return for the 2028 Olympic video games, which occur in Los Angeles, however he’s acquired different choices obtainable to him as nicely.
Whereas nothing has been determined simply but, Steveson reaffirmed his plans to ultimately make the transfer to MMA and it seems like combating may occur for him sooner slightly than later now.
“What’s subsequent for me is I’ve been boxing, I’ve been placing on the gloves, doing jiu-jitsu lessons, making an attempt to prepare for an MMA profession or proper after I stepped off the mats Saturday evening, simply a few calls from a number of new groups within the NFL,” Steveson revealed. “The roads simply maintain opening and I’m simply so comfortable that I can go on the market and placed on my greatest efficiency.
“Win or lose, like I mentioned, I’m all the time a showman. I am going on the market and I flip the group up and I present love and if a man will get his hand raised throughout from me, it’s respect as all the time. The doorways are nonetheless opening and I’m simply so comfortable the place I’m at present and the place the longer term goes to take me.”
When Steveson tried out for the Buffalo Payments this previous 12 months, he had by no means performed a single down of aggressive soccer beforehand however nonetheless made it deep into coaching camp earlier than he was reduce from the group. That possibility remains to be a chance, particularly with NFL groups all the time trying to find new expertise however Steveson didn’t decide to something but.
So far as combating goes, the 24-year-old wrestler beforehand labored out with the coaches and fighters at Kill Cliff FC in Florida earlier than he accepted an invitation to assist Jon Jones put together for his UFC heavyweight title protection in opposition to Stipe Miocic this previous November.
Steveson says Jones stays a relentless for him as he contemplates a future in MMA.
“Simply ensuring I can get my arms licensed and prepared,” Steveson mentioned about his preparation for combating. “Simply ensuring that I can see punches coming and guarantee that I’m comfy within the cage and cozy with guys in entrance of me which are going to be throwing big haymakers and getting in and getting out of the best way. I’ve acquired an incredible mentor proper now, I hope lots of people know a man named Jon Jones — only a improbable dude and the best fighter of all time. He’s fairly rattling good.
“I respect his efforts of making an attempt to steer me into the precise course and form of taking my again and giving me the course that I want. I’m actually younger and he’s been there and finished that earlier than so I’m actually appreciative of how he’s form of walked my steps main into this subsequent chapter, if that’s what it’s.”
Whereas wrestling has been his solely focus recently, Steveson admits that combating has all the time been on his thoughts and it’s only a matter of time earlier than he really units foot in a cage to do battle.
In actual fact, Steveson hopes he’ll lastly get the prospect to satisfy UFC CEO Dana White to debate his future.
“I feel that’s the perfect outlet for beginner wrestlers total,” Steveson mentioned about MMA. “I’ve not spoken to Dana personally. That’s one assembly I might like to have face-to-face. I’ve been ready a very long time to see him.
“I do know after the 2021 Olympics, he reached out and wished me to come back see him in Vegas and every little thing else. That’s one assembly that I might like to have and like to see. If I can get in entrance of his face and actually pitch who I’m and pitch who he can see and who I might be, I feel that will be the best factor.”
That preliminary assembly by no means occurred as a result of Steveson acquired a profitable supply to affix the roster at WWE however skilled wrestling simply by no means labored out for him.
Now coming off this surprising loss in his ultimate faculty wrestling match, Steveson is able to flip the web page however nonetheless simply as motivated as ever to make his mark in no matter he chooses to do subsequent.
“I feel lots of people have been anticipating a very unhealthy response from me,” Steveson mentioned. “However on the finish of the day, I’ve finished so many nice issues, I’ve met so many nice folks, I’ve been in so many nice locations and I might by no means take that as a right. That was the primary purpose I wished to come back again to the College of Minnesota after leaving in 2022 was I wished these youngsters to see you could be one thing particular, whether or not you win or lose, you possibly can change a sport, you generally is a man that individuals wish to have a look at and take photos with and hang around with after the duels and after the matches. It’s not the top of the world for me.
“I’ve all the time been up for the battle. If it was good or if it was unhealthy, if folks doubted and you already know they’re all the time going to doubt. I’ve been right here earlier than and that is nothing new.”
