Jon Jones has given fans an inside look at Gable Steveson’s transition from wrestling to MMA.
Steveson flirted with the idea of becoming a fighter before ultimately pursuing a career in professional wrestling after his impressive Olympic win at Tokyo 2020.
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 before being released in August.
Now he appears to be preparing to make his MMA debut in 2025.
Inside Jon Jones’ UFC 309 camp
Jon Jones previously revealed that Steveson is a part of the super camp he’s put together ahead of his heavyweight title defense against Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 on November 16.
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.
Although he’s focused on making sure his long winning run continues later this month, Jones is also helping Steveson learn how to strike during the early stages of his MMA training.
On Tuesday, the 24-year-old wrestler shared footage of him hitting pads. Jones quickly reshared it to his Instagram story, alongside an encouraging caption, which read: “Them hands coming along.”
In another clip, Jones could be seen lending Steveson a pair of his shinpads.
The 2x NCAA champion showed just how new to MMA he was by admitting he’d never actually used them before – but that didn’t matter as he’s backed an MMA legend.
“I’m one of the most superstitious athletes,” Jones said. “If you ain’t a stud, you ain’t wearing my gear. “
He added: “What do you think about that? Thank God you’re a stud, huh?”
Randy Couture discusses Jon Jones and his legacy
Jones is widely regarded as the greatest MMA fighter of all time after dominating the light heavyweight division for years before moving up in weight and winning UFC gold against Ciryl Gane in March 2023.
The 27-1 (1NC) MMA icon’s only loss came via disqualification after he used an elbow that was recently utilized legally for the first time at UFC Edmonton.
Jones has had issues with the law and failed multiple drug tests through the years, so some people think these things rule him out of the GOAT debate.
Retired two-weight UFC champion Randy Couture is one of them.
He said during an exclusive interview with BloodyElbow.com: “Everybody wants to say Jon Jones, but there are these extracurricular things that have been going on, that are public knowledge, that I think restrict that GOAT conversation because of that.
“It’s not just what you do in the cage that’s important, it’s how you carry yourself, and how you represent your sport, your family, and yourself outside of the cage as well.
“Those things factor in my mind when you start talking about an MMA Mount Rushmore-type situation.”