“Look at that, man—there’s nothing like having a military heavyweight go up to President Trump, shake his hand… man, you can almost write a damn movie on this.” Former two-division UFC champion Henry Cejudo stated last month, as he weighed in on the rise of 2025’s NCAA wrestling champion, Wyatt Hendrickson. The spotlight hit Hendrickson at the NCAA finals inside Wells Fargo Arena, where the Air Force lieutenant pulled off what many including Daniel Cormier are calling the “biggest upset” in collegiate wrestling history.

In a stunning turn of events, the Oklahoma State juggernaut defeated two-time NCAA champion Gable Steveson, ending his 70-match win streak and cementing his status as the “new American hero.” Hendrickson’s season was nothing short of perfection. He capped it off with his first NCAA heavyweight title in a dramatic 5-4 victory. The match, however, was far from a walk in the park. Steveson dictated most of the bout, and for a while, it seemed Hendrickson’s run was nearing its end.

But with just 18 seconds left on the clock, Hendrickson flipped the script—grabbing hold of the moment and the win, snatching the spotlight from the fan-favorite in unforgettable fashion. “It didn’t matter who was in front of me,” Hendrickson said after the match. “I set a goal to be the champion. To be the best, you’ve got to beat the best—and I did.” The upset didn’t just rattle the wrestling world—it launched Hendrickson into the national spotlight, drawing praise from wrestling icons, fans coast to coast, and POTUS President Donald Trump. Fueling the momentum, UFC CEO Dana White has also taken notice.

As reported by ESPN MMA on Instagram, the Bossman personally reached out to Hendrickson with an invitation to UFC 314—marking the UFC’s fourth return to Miami. ESPN MMA shared on social media, “What a month it’s been for Wyatt Hendrickson. After shocking the world at the NCAA wrestling championships, Dana White made a special call to invite the champ to #UFC314 in Miami.” The post also included a clip of White and Hendrickson chatting live on Instagram Stories, directly hinting that the UFC brass may now have their eyes set on Hendrickson.

The upcoming Miami card promises fireworks, headlined by a massive featherweight title clash between Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes for the belt left vacant by Ilia Topuria. But while all eyes are on that showdown, another storyline is quietly building steam— the future for the 24-year-old Gable Steveson.

Just last month on The Pat McAfee Show, Steveson opened up about his next steps, revealing he’s planning to meet Dana White “face to face.” With his collegiate wrestling career behind him, he’s now focusing on developing his boxing and sharpening his grappling game. In his own words, he’s getting “ready for an MMA career.” But could Hendrickson’s sudden surge—and his growing rapport with the Bossman—put a dent in Steveson’s UFC ambitions? Does the NCAA champ have his sights set on the Octagon next? Let’s hear it from the man himself.

What’s next for Wyatt Hendrickson?

Wyatt Hendrickson didn’t just beat Gable Steveson—he derailed the Olympic gold medalist’s highly anticipated collegiate return, instantly cementing his name in wrestling headlines. But just like Steveson, who recently teased a move to MMA, questions are now swirling around Hendrickson’s potential transition to the cage. Steveson has already made his intentions clear: he’s not done with wrestling. With his sights set on the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, he’s doubling down on the sport. Interestingly, Hendrickson shares that Olympic dream, calling it his “ultimate goal.”

However, his post-collegiate roadmap looks quite different. In a conversation with Uncrowned MMA, Hendrickson revealed his commitment to serving in the Air Force for the next five years after his wrestling career ends. Only after fulfilling that duty would he consider “cross-training.” Though he’s “messed around” with boxing and jiu-jitsu, for now, he plans to stay focused on wrestling.

When it comes to MMA, Wyatt Hendrickson made his stance crystal clear. “I love MMA. I love everything about it,” he admitted. “One thing that’s always on my mind is how much I enjoy punching people in the face — but let’s be real, getting punched in the face sucks. Getting hit in the head…” That candid remark sheds light on a deeper concern. Hendrickson has a history of concussions, making any transition into MMA far from a simple choice.

For the NCAA champion, the MMA game isn’t just a thrill — it’s a serious risk. As he put it, the sport is “no joke.” All eyes will be on Hendrickson if he shows up at the Kaseya Center to hang with Dana White & Co. But with his concussion history and safety still front and center, it’s clear that an MMA debut isn’t on the immediate horizon. Stay locked in for more updates on the rising star’s next move.