Gable Steveson Credit: WWE
Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson will test himself outside the wrestling mats when he headlines Dirty Boxing 4 on Oct. 30 in Nashville, Tenn., facing Billy Swanson in the promotion’s main event.
Dirty Boxing made the announcement on Wednesday.
Steveson (1-0) made his professional MMA debut at LFA 217, dispatching Braden Peterson in under two minutes. The Olympic champion has long been linked to a transition from wrestling to combat sports, with a move to the UFC widely expected in the near future.
The bout marks one of the most high-profile crossovers for the up-and-coming Dirty Boxing promotion, which has quickly built a reputation on unconventional matchups and stylistic intrigue.
Swanson, a battle-tested heavyweight with experience across the regional MMA scene, presents a rugged challenge for Steveson’s debut in this rule set. While the Olympic champion brings athleticism, explosiveness, and championship-level pedigree, Swanson offers cage time, grit, and an understanding of how to thrive in high-pressure environments.
The matchup not only pits decorated wrestling royalty against a seasoned fighter but also raises questions about how Steveson’s skills will translate when his strongest weapon is taken away.
The move follows Steveson’s recent controversy with grappler Craig Jones, after withdrawing from a scheduled match between the two. While their back-and-forth sparked some heated exchanges, tensions now appear to have cooled.