Gable Stevenson showcased his remarkable power once again with a devastating knockout in his APFC debut. Unlike previous bouts where he was accompanied by UFC legend Jon Jones, Stevenson was solo this time, though they stayed in touch by phone until he entered the cage. Despite that, Stevenson secured a swift win, continuing his winning streak in amateur MMA.
Stevenson is widely recognized for his Olympic gold medal in wrestling and a brief career in WWE. However, it might be his striking skills now propelling him towards the UFC, as he requested a call from UFC matchmaker Mick Maynard following the fight.
Only three weeks after his Dirty Boxing Championship debut in Nashville, Stevenson traveled to Albuquerque, New Mexico, a known MMA hub, to face Kevin Hayne at APFC. The event drew a high-profile crowd, including stars like Holly Holm, Carlos Condit, and Demetrius Johnson, with Raul Rosas Jr. making a notable undercard appearance.
Known primarily for his wrestling, Stevenson demonstrated striking prowess by delivering a powerful right hand that knocked Hayne out cold. Even as his opponent was unconscious, Stevenson followed up with a takedown. The referee quickly ended the fight, marking Stevenson’s second one-round win in MMA and third overall since transitioning to the sport.
Typically, even famous multi-sport athletes like Stevenson gain experience in amateur or regional circuits before moving to the UFC. However, given the relatively thin talent pool in the heavyweight division, Stevenson could be an exception.
After the fight, Stevenson mentioned he was promised a visit from Mick Maynard if he returned from UFC Qatar, but since that didn’t happen, he sought a UFC opportunity on his own. UFC President Dana White recently commented on Jim Rome’s Show that the promotion is paying close attention to Stevenson and is interested to see how his career develops.
Fan Take: Gable Stevenson’s rapid rise and impressive knockout power have fans buzzing, as he represents a fresh, athletic talent ready to shake up the heavyweight division. His potential UFC debut could bring an exciting new dynamic to the sport, bridging the gap between wrestling, striking, and MMA’s biggest stage.
