“I think it has to be internal; it has to be something you ask yourself, and you decide for yourself that you want.” Those words from UFC star Bo Nickal hit differently when talking about Gable Steveson. Because let’s be real—this isn’t just another career move. This is a choice that could redefine his legacy. Will he stay on the mat, dominating wrestling like he was born to? Or does he take the path so many have speculated about?

From achieving Olympic gold to teasing a future in MMA after training with Jon Jones, the Indiana native has had fans guessing his next move for years. Does he intend to follow world title wrestling victories while remaining loyal to his sport? Or will he strap on the MMA gloves to become another Olympic wrestler who transformed into a UFC legend? Let’s break it down.

The 24-year-old, after all, isn’t just any wrestler. Two NCAA titles, three Big Ten championships, an Olympic gold medal, and a 96-2 collegiate career record? That’s one star-studded resume that speaks for itself. His comeback to the NCAA following a WWE experience makes it very clear that he just wasn’t done making statements on the collegiate mat. That double dedication to what he excels in stems from several distinct reasons.

Reason #1: Steveson’s mat magic—Why walk away from greatness?

Gable Steveson became an Olympic history-maker by pulling off one of the most thrilling returns ever seen in wrestling competition at the 2020 Tokyo Games. During the 125 kg freestyle final against Geno Petriashvili, Steveson regained momentum at the final moment by flipping and capturing a 10-8 victory that earned him the Olympic gold at just 21. Unbelievable.

 Isn’t he a prodigy at this point? Steveson achieved tech falls in 1:50 seconds while sustaining a 59-match win streak and obtaining the position of #1 ranking—his domination in that period was truly astonishing. He continued to prove his mettle as one of the best to ever grace the mat till the very last moment of his NCAA career. His final home wrestling match was another statement of his greatness. Although the Minnesota Gophers were reduced to dust by the Iowa Hawkeyes (23-11), Gable Steveson’s dominance was evident. It was a resounding victory against No. 11 Ben Kueter within three minutes.

Reason #2: Fueling Minnesota’s rise and elevating U.S. wrestling

Steveson’s return to NCAA wrestling was a game-changer for the University of Minnesota and U.S. wrestling as a whole. With his presence, the Gophers have surged in the rankings, and the young wrestlers on the team are thriving under his influence. Love it or hate it, his comeback has definitely transformed Minnesota into a top wrestling program. Despite some backlash over an Olympic champion re-entering the collegiate circuit, Steveson never wavered. His return also honored some of the most important people of his life.

His return was not just about him. It was a tribute to those who shaped him. “My dad loves wrestling a lot, and he wanted to see me back last year… he was just like, ‘If you got the time to do it, just finish it off,’” the Gophers wrestler shared in an interview with FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul. Already dominating with a 20-4 tech fall against Campbell’s Taye Ghadiali in his first match after 980 days, Steveson’s hunger for a third NCAA title is undeniable. His presence isn’t just lifting Minnesota in terms of rankings; it’s strengthening wrestling as a whole.

Reason #3: The unfinished business—One more shot at wrestling immortality?

If there’s one person who knows Gable Steveson’s potential better than anyone, it’s his coach, Brandon Eggum. Eggum has a complete understanding of the 24-year-old’s talent. “From my end, I talked to him and said, ‘I’d love to see him wrestle for the U.S. and win a couple more world titles and maybe another Olympic title,’” Eggum stated in an interview with Flo Wrestling. Another Olympic run could cement his status as one of the greatest American wrestlers ever. And if his coach has anything to say about it, Steveson isn’t done yet.

However, Eggum also dismissed the notion that moving to MMA was dangerously hasty. “I think it could be good training for him if he decides to go a different path, meaning MMA,” he stated. It’s no secret that Steveson has been testing the waters of different athletic arenas. Let’s look at why a move to UFC might make just as much sense as staying in wrestling.

Reason #1: A two-time NCAA champion with UFC potential—And the confidence to back it up

Gable Steveson isn’t just thinking about an MMA career—he’s envisioning dominance. In an interview with MMA Fighting, he made a bold statement that turned heads. “I do believe that with my wrestling skills and me putting on some striking skills, I can be the [UFC] champ in less than 18 months. I can go out there and dominate my way through the heavyweight field.” While predicting UFC gold in under two years may seem ambitious, Steveson’s track record proves that counting him out is a mistake.

If he dedicates himself to striking and transitions, there’s no reason he couldn’t rise quickly in the heavyweight division. His Olympic-caliber grappling alone would give him a massive edge over many UFC heavyweights. And if his confidence is anything to go by, he’s already picturing himself inside the Octagon.

Reason #2: Jon Jones igniting the UFC dream

Sometimes, a person needs only the appropriate mentor to discover fresh opportunities. During his training period Steveson found guidance from UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones. This left him with a notable experience. “After being in that camp with Jon Jones, that definitely put a major spark in me to go out there and do MMA. Not sure about the promotion yet. But Jon definitely lit a fire in me,” Steveson revealed in an interview with Ariel Helwani on YouTube. Jones, who is widely regarded as the greatest MMA fighter of all time planted the seed of a future UFC career.

Steveson built his fighting skills through wrestling and boxing and jiu-jitsu and his training establishes a solid basis that can work well in MMA. Well, one must pay attention to words of wisdom from someone as legendary as Jones.

Reason #3: Following the path of legends—Can Steveson be the next big MMA star?

Sports records demonstrate that wrestlers who compete at the Olympic level show exceptional ability to move directly from wrestling into MMA competitions. Three examples of this success path are Ben Askren, Henry Cejudo, and Daniel Cormier, who show how grappling expertise leads to MMA championship victories. Gable Steveson inherits all the elements from his wrestling background that will enable him to match the success his predecessors achieved in MMA.

The Olympic champion’s future has constantly kept fans guessing as his career has been anything but predictable. UFC rising star Bo Nickal even pointed out the recent gap in top-tier wrestlers moving to MMA, stating, “I think the last decade, we really haven’t had the best collegiate wrestlers move into MMA.” So this leaves us with the question, will Steveson be the one to change that trend, or will he continue his illustrious journey as a wrestler? What would you prefer as a fan? As for us, we are okay with either as long as we watch this legend perform!