Gable Steveson trusts Jon Jones to lead him to the greatest heights in combat sports: ‘He knows best’

Gable Steveson, an Olympic gold medalist in freestyle wrestling and a physically exceptional heavyweight, possessed a unique position to choose virtually any coach or mentor for his highly anticipated transition into mixed martial arts (MMA). However, a seemingly serendipitous encounter led the 25-year-old prospect to partner with Jon Jones, the former UFC heavyweight and light heavyweight champion, a collaboration that has since blossomed into a profound mentorship, according to Steveson.

The initial connection between the two elite athletes occurred when Jones was preparing for his own pivotal showdown against Stipe Miocic. In seeking physically imposing grapplers to refine his ground game and clinch work for the heavyweight title bout, Jones found an ideal training partner in Steveson. Steveson, then a two-time NCAA Division I National Champion and a prominent figure in the wrestling world, readily agreed to assist. This training camp, while initially focused on Jones’s preparation, proved to be a crucible that forged a deep bond between the two, with Steveson quickly recognizing Jones as the optimal coach and mentor to guide his burgeoning fighting career.

Speaking with MMA Fighting, Steveson articulated the depth of their relationship, stating, "My relationship with him is everything. It’s kind of crazy the way I fight, he’s kind of created the way how I want to fight in the future. The dude’s a legend but he’s also my close friend now. He’s my close friend, he’s my coach, he’s everything in between." This sentiment underscores not just a professional partnership but a personal connection, suggesting that Jones’s influence extends beyond mere technical instruction, shaping Steveson’s very philosophy and approach to combat.

Steveson emphasized the immense privilege he feels in being guided by a figure of Jones’s stature. "It’s an honor to be with someone like that and for someone to guide you along the way with that kind of stature is crazy," he remarked. This perspective highlights the unique opportunity Steveson has to learn from an athlete widely considered one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time. He further explained his commitment to absorbing every piece of advice: "I take everything he says, I take it and I soak it all in and I try do the best I can to make sure he’s proud and make sure all the other coaches are proud. Right now, everybody’s smiling ear to ear and we’re going to keep it that way." This statement reflects a humble and dedicated student, eager to meet the high expectations set by his esteemed coaching staff.

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While Jones plays a central role, Steveson is also quick to acknowledge the broader team supporting his development. His corner at WFL 3, where he secured a first-round stoppage victory to advance his professional record to 3-0, included seasoned coaches Brandon Gibson and Greg Jackson, alongside Jones. Greg Jackson, a co-founder of Jackson-Wink MMA Academy in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is renowned for developing numerous UFC champions across various weight classes, including former champions like Georges St-Pierre, Holly Holm, and Jon Jones himself. Jackson’s strategic acumen and holistic approach to fight preparation are well-documented within the sport. Brandon Gibson, a highly respected striking coach at Jackson-Wink, has been instrumental in refining the stand-up games of many top-tier fighters. The presence of such an experienced and successful coaching triumvirate provides a robust framework for Steveson’s transition, integrating elite wrestling with comprehensive striking and strategic guidance.

The partnership with Jones, however, naturally garners a distinct level of attention, particularly given Jones’s unparalleled legacy in the sport. Jones, who holds numerous UFC records and has defended his light heavyweight title a record eleven times, recently captured the vacant UFC Heavyweight Championship in March 2023 by submitting Ciryl Gane in the first round. His career, spanning from 2008, is marked by dominant performances and innovative fighting techniques, making his endorsement of Steveson particularly weighty. Jones has publicly expressed immense confidence in Steveson, frequently referring to him as the future of the sport. He has gone as far as to suggest that Steveson would likely reach the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) sooner rather than later, envisioning a swift path to championship contention within the organization.

Steveson, while maintaining a grounded perspective regarding immediate declarations of conquering the UFC heavyweight division, deeply values Jones’s faith in his potential. "It means a lot coming from him," Steveson affirmed. "That’s my brother. He knows best. He sees me first hand. He sees what I can do. He sees my work mentality. He sees everything that I can do from top to bottom." This intimate understanding of Steveson’s capabilities, observed directly in training, lends significant credibility to Jones’s predictions. Steveson added a crucial nuance, balancing Jones’s belief with his own conviction: "I would believe his word but I wouldn’t believe his word to the fullest extent because you’ve got to believe my word, also. You’ve got to believe in my work ethic and my work ethic is pure. So with those two combined, you can believe both of them." This statement highlights Steveson’s self-assuredness and unwavering commitment to his own rigorous training regimen, suggesting that while external validation is appreciated, his internal drive is the primary engine of his ambition.

The highly visible nature of this mentorship has not been without scrutiny. Critics have raised concerns regarding Jones’s past "outside-the-cage activities," which include multiple arrests, suspensions, and drug testing issues that have led to overturned victories and periods of inactivity throughout his decorated career. These controversies have, at times, cast a shadow over his otherwise stellar athletic achievements. However, Steveson unequivocally defends Jones’s character and professionalism within their working relationship.

"I don’t think he does [get enough credit]," Steveson said when asked if Jones receives adequate recognition for his positive attributes. "I think a lot of people overshadow [his abilities] with a lot of things with just fighting and a lot of the things he has going on. His mentorship is the best thing that we can have." Steveson’s perspective suggests that Jones’s past issues, while acknowledged, do not detract from his capabilities as a mentor and coach. He views the opportunity to learn from Jones as unparalleled. "He’s the best fighter of all-time leading a new guy to maybe be that person also. It’s a one of a kind opportunity and I’m all ears. I’m a sponge. Just soaking in all the knowledge that I can." This analogy of a "sponge" illustrates Steveson’s eagerness to absorb every lesson and insight from the seasoned champion, framing the partnership as a unique conduit for invaluable combat sports knowledge.

Steveson’s professional MMA debut took place in February 2024 at WFL 1 against Bobby Brents, which he won via TKO in the first round. His subsequent fights have continued this trend of early finishes, demonstrating his ability to quickly adapt his world-class wrestling foundation to the multi-faceted demands of MMA, including striking and submission defense. His Olympic gold medal in the 125 kg category at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics solidified his status as one of the most dominant amateur wrestlers of his generation, bringing an exceptional grappling pedigree into professional fighting. The challenge for Steveson, with Jones’s guidance, is to seamlessly integrate striking and defensive maneuvers to become a complete mixed martial artist, capable of competing at the highest levels.

With Jones firmly by his side, complemented by the expertise of Brandon Gibson and Greg Jackson, Steveson expresses profound confidence in his current support system. He believes he has assembled the ideal team to achieve his ambitious goals in combat sports. Whether this translates into a rapid ascent to a UFC title or a more measured progression, Steveson is resolute in his intention to maintain Jones as a constant presence in his corner.

Detailing Jones’s commitment as a coach, Steveson offered insights that directly address any potential skepticism regarding the champion’s focus. "He’s perfect. He’s everything you want in a coach," Steveson asserted. "He shows up on time. He’s ready to work. He’s ready to work overtime, also. So the narrative of him being not there, his ego’s there — it’s non-existent with him. He’s ready to show up and do his thing and make sure we are happy and make sure we have a guy that can lead us along the way with coaches like Brandon Gibson and Greg Jackson and Jon Jones." This detailed description of Jones’s punctuality, work ethic, and lack of ego paints a picture of a dedicated and selfless mentor, actively invested in Steveson’s success. The collective strength of this coaching ensemble, referred to by Steveson as a "perfect squad," underscores their unified objective. "We’re just trying to make it happen one day at a time and just have the best of best times," he concluded, highlighting both the methodical approach and the positive atmosphere surrounding his promising career.

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