Gable Steveson almost learned the hard way just how dangerous the UFC heavyweight champion is.
Jon Jones is currently preparing to defend his belt against former two-time titleholder Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 in New York on November 16.
It’s a legacy fight well over a year in the making. The stakes couldn’t be higher as the winner will most likely move on to face Tom Aspinall, who holds the interim heavyweight belt and is widely regarded as the best big man in MMA.
Jon Jones throws a flying knee at Gable Steveson in training
Steveson won a gold medal in wrestling at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and has been brought into Jones’ latest camp to help him prepare for any potential grappling exchange that may take place at Madison Square Garden.
However, one of their wrestling practices almost went badly wrong when the UFC legend snapped into fight mode and threw a flying knee after breaking away from Steveson.
Viral footage shows it connecting right on the former WWE athlete’s jaw.
Luckily, there wasn’t a lot of power behind the shot and Steveson was able to take it before Jones immediately apologized for getting a little carried away.
Steveson said, ‘You’re good’ and tried to continue wrestling – but Jones brought a halt to their light spar and the camera cut off
Still, Steveson had a smile on his face and seemed happy to be taking blows from the man who is often referred to as the greatest MMA fighter of all time.
Jones has put together an elite team to help him prepare for UFC 309.
Former UFC fighter Alan Belcher and George Lockheart, who is a fight nutrition specialist known for previously working with Conor McGregor, are in camp with him.
Shockingly, so is Joseph Parker. The former WBO heavyweight champion is famous for training with Tyson Fury, losing to Anthony Joshua, and beating Deontay Wilder.
Parker’s job is to get Jones ready for a fight on the feet with Miocic, who is notoriously tough to take down and has some of the best hands in heavyweight history.
Is Gable Steveson training for his MMA debut?
Steveson flirted with the idea of transitioning to MMA before ultimately pursuing a career in professional wrestling after his impressive Olympic win.
Earlier this year, he was cut by the WWE before changing sports again and signing a three-year contract with the Buffalo Bills, who he was expected to play defensive line for in the NFL.
However, he was released by the Bills in August and has now seemingly turned his attention to MMA.
Prior to linking up with Jones, it was reported that Stevenson had been training with Henry Hooft and Robbie Lawler at the MMA gym Kill Cliff FC in South Florida.
At just 24 years old, he can still become an elite-level fighter, but he’s yet to fully commit to his MMA transition.
Only time will tell if he’s training with Jones and Lawler for fun, or if he’s planning to follow in their footsteps by becoming a champion in the UFC.