“GABLE FAILS.” That was the brutal headline in the Des Moines Register after Gable Steveson’s shocking loss to Wyatt Hendrickson in the NCAA Wrestling Championships final this year. These are just two words, but they are enough to shake the wrestling world to its core. Daniel Cormier called it the “biggest upset” in NCAA wrestling history. And why wouldn’t he? Gable Steveson, Olympic gold medalist, WWE signee, the man many saw as untouchable, fell in the biggest match of his collegiate career. But while the world gasped at the unexpected outcome, there was one man whose reaction carried the weight of history—Dan Gable.

Dan Gable is a wrestling legend, unbeaten in high school and college until the 1970 NCAA finals, where Larry Owings shocked the world by defeating him 13-11. That loss still looms in wrestling history. But this was different—this was personal. Gable Steveson, named after him, was supposed to be the next unstoppable force. Yet, when Steveson took the mat at Wells Fargo Arena, the senior Gable wasn’t there. Perhaps he sensed history repeating itself. And when it did, he was left reliving emotions buried for decades.

“I tried not to think about his loss because I didn’t want to get that emotional about a guy that’s named Gable Dan Steveson,” he admitted. “Because I already went through a loss 55 years ago.” But here’s the kicker—this might not be the last we see of Gable Steveson on the mat. Whispers are growing louder. Rumors are swirling. Could Steveson make a comeback, stepping back onto the mat with vengeance in his eyes? Or will he shift his sights toward another battlefront, be it professional wrestling, MMA, or a return to the Olympic stage?

On April 1, the X-handle Sunday Night Lights dropped the bombshell. But Craig Jones, the two-time BJJ champion, had already unveiled it on Instagram before that. The news? On August 31, Craig Jones will face Gable Steveson in a Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) showdown at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. The bout will be part of the ‘super-fights’ section in Craig Jones Invitational 2, a high-stakes event set within a larger Quintet-style team-based competition.

Of course, given that Jones announced the match on April 1—April Fool’s Day—fans initially questioned its legitimacy. But make no mistake, this is real. A decorated grappler versus an Olympic wrestling titan. Two vastly different styles. One rink. One moment. However, Craig has already set things on fire. How? The announcement came with his signature brand of humor in true Craig Jones fashion.

“Time to answer the age-old question, is wrestling gayer than jiu-jitsu?” Craig Jones quipped in a hilariously irreverent announcement video. But he didn’t stop there. In a comment under the post, he doubled down: “I choose my opponents like I choose women. I wait for a moment of vulnerability.” Meaning? The two-time ADCC silver medalist must have seen Stevenson’s loss in the NCAA final in March. And now, here he is, with his trademark words. However, wrestling fans have shared their opinions on this scheduled fight. 

Wrestling fans point out the differences between the stalwarts 

“This won’t be competitive… Gable isn’t near Craig Jones in pure grappling,” one fan declared on X, pointing to the Australian’s dominance in the art of submissions. And they’re not wrong—Jones is a world-class black belt, trained under Lachlan Giles and linked to John Danaher’s infamous Danaher Death Squad (DDS), a group notorious for their relentless submission game. That’s concerning, even for someone as physically dominant as Gable Steveson. So, is there a way out?

Some fans think so. One suggested, “This may be an April Fool’s joke, but if someone taught Gable leg lock defense (because Craig is a monster at ripping ACLs) and maybe a choke (optional), Gable could make for a super interesting matchup.” Another had a different take: “Only possible way for Gable is if it’s catch wrestling rules where you can win by submission or pin.” Speaking of rules, CJI 2 follows a unique format inspired by Japanese promotions: two fighters grapple until one is submitted. The loser gets replaced by a teammate, while the winner stays on. If neither can secure a submission, both are eliminated. In this system, quick, powerful grapplers hold the advantage. So, does that favor Gable or Craig?

The internet seems to have made up its mind. Over on Reddit, a wrestling fan wrote bluntly, “Brother, he can train BJJ for the next few years and wouldn’t have a shot against Craig.” The sentiment is widespread—the 24-year-old’s lack of submission experience has many doubting his chances. But here’s the real question—does Gable Steveson know what he’s getting into? And if so, why did he sign the contract?

One particularly harsh fan pulled no punches: “I can’t wait until the last time we have to hear about Gable Steveson. Could have been the greatest ever but instead chose to jump from sport to sport like a clown. One of the biggest sporting fumbles ever.” Is this just another chapter in a confusing career, or is Gable about to shock the world once again? Either way, all eyes will be on Las Vegas on August 31. And whether he gets submitted in seconds or puts up a fight for the ages, one thing is certain: this match will be anything but boring.