Joe Rogan is a big believer in Gable Steveson.
The 2020 Olympic gold medalist freestyle wrestler made his MMA debut earlier this year and has since recorded two wins in a combined 2 minutes and 2 seconds, with a 15-second Dirty Boxing victory added in, as well. Still just 25 years old, Steveson appears to be one of the best prospects to ever into MMA, and after his most recent victory at Anthony Pettis FC 21 in November, Steveson made it clear he hopes to sign with the UFC soon.
And when he does, Rogan thinks it won’t be long before he’s champion.
”The heavyweight division is so devoid of talent,” Rogan said on his podcast. “Gable Steveson is the f*cking guy. That’s the guy. He’s not even in the UFC yet. Olympic gold medalist, f*cking freak athlete, 250 pounds, moves like a cat.
”I sent a text message to Dana White. I sent him a video of Gable’s last fight. I said, ‘Everyone’s f*cked. Everyone’s f*cked when this guy comes out.’ He KOed this guy with a left hand and then took him down as he was knocked out. … The speed that this guy has. First of all, really good striking already, and he’s only been striking for like a f*cking year. …
“Everyone’s f*cked. That’s just nuts. That kind of speed is nuts for a heavyweight. … And he can do backflips and shit. When he fought in Dirty Boxing, he knocks the guy out, and then he leaps over the top rope and lands on the apron. Just leaps! Like, effortless! FREAK! Just a real freak.”
Rogan continued his effusive praise of Steveson, saying he is a bigger and “maybe even better” version of Daniel Cormier, who won titles in two UFC weight classes and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2022. He also noted that Steveson is taking the proper steps to set himself up for success when he does finally move to the UFC.
“He’s a freak. And he’s training with Jon Jones, and he’s training with some of the best fighters, and he’s trying to fight every month,” Rogan said. “He’s trying to get as much experience as he can before he gets into the UFC. He’s coming, and everybody’s in trouble. [He’s] 25! They’re all f*cked! Everyone’s f*cked! Ev-er-y-one is f*cked, because there’s no one, other than Jon, there’s no one that can wrestle with that guy in that sport. …
“It’s a lethal combination of athleticism, speed, power, size, and an insane wrestling pedigree.”
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Daniel Cormier is the wrong comp: Gable Steveson is potentially a better version of Brock Lesnar. And while I do think he probably does win UFC gold, let’s not crown him just yet. He’s 2-0. There’s a lot of room between that and UFC champion.
UFC 323 tomorrow, the final PPV. Get hype.
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