Gable Steveson smashed his MMA debut at LFA 217 with a brutal first-round ground-and-pound finish over Braden Peterson (Image via @somosmma/X) Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson has officially arrived in the MMA world, and his first fight was nothing short of explosive. The 24-year-old heavyweight made his professional debut at LFA 217 on Friday night in Minnesota, where he stopped opponent Braden Peterson in the very first round. Fans, fighters, and even UFC legends were quick to react as the wrestling prodigy showed he’s more than ready for the cage.
Gable Steveson storms into MMA with crushing debut performance
The fight at Mystic Lake Casino Hotel didn’t last long. Within just 15 seconds of the match, Steveson smashed 37-year-old Braden Peterson to the canvas. From there, he unleashed a barrage of ground-and-pound strikes that forced the referee to wave it off just minutes into round one.Crowds roared as the hometown favorite raised his arms in victory. The message was clear: Steveson’s elite grappling and raw power translate perfectly to MMA. For a fighter once known as the youngest Olympic super heavyweight champion in history, it was the kind of debut that made the hype feel real.
From wrestling glory to WWE and NFL detours before finding MMA
Steveson’s road to the cage has been anything but ordinary. After winning two NCAA Division I titles with the University of Minnesota and capturing Olympic gold in Tokyo in 2020, he signed with WWE in 2021. Despite the spectacle of pro wrestling, his run there fizzled, and by 2023 he had parted ways.Not done experimenting, Steveson even pursued an NFL dream with the Buffalo Bills last season, but that stint ended before the regular season. Now, back in combat sports, he looks sharper and hungrier than ever.
Jon Jones and MMA world react to Steveson’s monster debut
The debut drew big names, including former UFC light heavyweight king Jon Jones, who sat cageside and praised the newcomer. Jones has trained with Steveson in the past and called him “a freak athlete” with the “perfect formula” to reach the top of MMA.Social media lit up instantly after the finish. Clips of the stoppage spread quickly, with fans comparing Steveson’s debut to Brock Lesnar’s first MMA appearance nearly two decades ago. Many are already speculating how long it will take before he enters the UFC.