Olympic champ Gable Steveson scores brutal 24-second knockout in second pro fight

The highly anticipated bout saw Steveson promoted to the main event, a testament to the burgeoning hype surrounding the decorated wrestler’s transition to MMA. From the opening bell, Steveson exhibited a blend of his renowned wrestling prowess and rapidly developing striking skills. His opponent, Kevin Hein, found himself quickly overwhelmed by Steveson’s aggressive and calculated approach.

The decisive moment arrived swiftly. Steveson initiated a low dip, feigning a takedown attempt, a maneuver deeply ingrained from his wrestling background that served to draw Hein’s focus downwards. Simultaneously, he unleashed a devastating left hand that connected flush with Hein’s head. The impact was immediate and conclusive; Hein was rendered unconscious mid-motion, collapsing to the canvas in a heap before Steveson could even complete the follow-through on his feigned takedown. The referee, recognizing the severity of the knockout, promptly intervened to stop the contest, declaring Steveson the winner by a lightning-quick finish at the 24-second mark of the first round.

This impressive victory follows Steveson’s professional MMA debut, where he also secured a first-round knockout. While the official MMA record stands at 2-0, Steveson previously demonstrated his striking capabilities in a "Dirty Boxing" bout, securing a knockout victory in just 15 seconds. Though not contributing to his official MMA fight tally, that performance served as an early indicator of his explosive power and adaptability, particularly in striking exchanges, which are often considered the most challenging aspect for wrestlers transitioning to MMA.

Gable Steveson arrives in mixed martial arts with an unparalleled pedigree in amateur wrestling. A two-time NCAA Division I National Champion and a three-time Big Ten Conference champion for the University of Minnesota, Steveson dominated the collegiate wrestling scene. His collegiate career culminated in winning the prestigious Dan Hodge Trophy in both 2021 and 2022, an award recognizing the nation’s most outstanding collegiate wrestler.

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However, it was his performance on the international stage that truly cemented his legendary status. At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (held in 2021), Steveson captured the gold medal in the men’s freestyle 125 kg (275 lbs) division. This historic achievement made him the youngest American wrestler ever to win an Olympic gold medal, highlighting his exceptional talent, athleticism, and mental fortitude under immense pressure. His victory was marked by a thrilling comeback in the final seconds against Georgia’s Geno Petriashvili, showcasing his ability to perform at the highest level.

Following his Olympic triumph, Steveson briefly explored a career in professional wrestling, signing with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). While the stint offered exposure and an opportunity to learn a different facet of sports entertainment, it ultimately became clear that his competitive drive lay in legitimate combat sports. His return to fighting was signaled by a significant move: joining the training camp of reigning UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones as Jones prepared for his highly anticipated bout against Stipe Miocic.

The mentorship and training environment provided by Jon Jones have proven to be instrumental in Steveson’s rapid development. Jones, widely regarded as one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time, offers invaluable insight into striking, grappling transitions, and overall fight strategy – areas crucial for a wrestler looking to excel in MMA. Steveson has openly acknowledged Jones not only as a mentor and friend but also as one of his primary coaches, a relationship that undoubtedly accelerates his learning curve and refines his all-around skill set. Training alongside a fighter of Jones’s caliber provides a unique advantage, allowing Steveson to hone his craft against elite-level competition in a controlled environment.

Steveson’s ambitions extend clearly to the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the pinnacle of mixed martial arts. In his post-fight interview following his APFC 21 victory, he explicitly mentioned UFC matchmaker Mick Maynard by name, reiterating a call-out he made after his debut win. This direct acknowledgment of a key UFC decision-maker signals a clear intent to fast-track his path to the world’s premier MMA promotion.

The UFC often recruits promising prospects through various channels, including regional circuits and Dana White’s Contender Series. However, athletes with Steveson’s unique blend of Olympic gold medal credentials, collegiate wrestling dominance, and explosive knockout power often bypass traditional routes, garnering direct attention from the organization. His exceptional athletic background and immediate impact in professional MMA position him as one of the most compelling prospects in recent memory.

With a perfect 2-0 record, both victories coming via first-round knockout in a cumulative cage time of less than two minutes, Gable Steveson is quickly establishing himself as a formidable force in the nascent stages of his MMA career. The heavyweight division, historically a realm of powerful and often one-punch knockout artists, could be a fitting home for Steveson’s explosive style. As he continues his climb, the combat sports world will be keenly watching to see if this Olympic champion can translate his unprecedented wrestling success into a similar legacy within the demanding landscape of mixed martial arts, potentially culminating in a high-profile UFC debut in the near future.