“Oh my gosh! Can you believe this? The biggest upset in NCAA history! Yes, he has done it!” – ESPN announcer Shawn Kenney’s voice echoed through the Wells Fargo Center as the unthinkable unfolded in the 2025 NCAA Wrestling Championship. Gable Steveson, a two-time NCAA Division-1 national champion and Olympic gold medalist, entered the match as the overwhelming favorite. The undefeated Minnesotan, riding a dominant 70-match win streak, seemed destined for his third NCAA title.

But on this night in Philadelphia, under the bright lights and in front of 18,826 roaring fans, destiny had other plans. His opponent, Oklahoma State’s Wyatt Hendrickson, refused to back down. While ‘The Golden Gable’ controlled most of the match and led 5-4 heading into the final 30 seconds, Hendrickson pulled off a stunning reversal. With a perfectly timed takedown, he secured three crucial points, sealing a dramatic victory and sending shockwaves through the wrestling world.

As Penn State celebrated its 12th NCAA wrestling title—the program’s fourth consecutive championship—the spotlight remained on the unforgettable showdown between Gable Steveson and Wyatt Hendrickson. Even tech mogul Elon Musk, who was in attendance, couldn’t contain his excitement. Taking to social media, the SpaceX and Tesla CEO praised both athletes, writing, “The NCAA wrestling heavyweight championship match was amazing! A battle between two incredibly talented men!”

In the same thread, Musk shared his own wrestling experience, recalling a costly encounter with a sumo world champion. “I did knock over a 380 lb world champion Sumo wrestler, but I smashed my neck in the process. It took five operations to fix,” he revealed. Meanwhile, 24-year-old Gable Steveson has been making waves across the combat sports landscape. His name recently surfaced in connection with UFC’s reigning heavyweight champion, Jon Jones.

Last year, Gable Steveson played a role in helping Jon Jones prepare for his first heavyweight title defense against Stipe Miocic at UFC 309. That bout ended in dominant fashion, with ‘Bones’ landing a devastating spinning back kick to Miocic’s torso, securing a statement victory. The Apple Valley native first rose to prominence by capturing back-to-back NCAA championships in 2021 and 2022 before making a brief transition to WWE.

However, in the summer of 2024, he made a surprise return to amateur wrestling. Around the same time, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Gable Steveson had signed a three-year contract with the Buffalo Bills. His time in the NFL, however, was short-lived, as the team released him within a few months.

Gable Steveson hinted at a potential move to MMA in the future

“If I were Gable Steveson, I’d go to WWE first… because WWE wants him just as much as the UFC,” advised Olympic gold medalist and former UFC two-division champion Daniel Cormier. He recommended the young Minnesota wrestler follow the path of Brock Lesnar before making a move into mixed martial arts. Taking this advice to heart, the Minnesotan made his WWE debut, with his most recent appearance occurring at a SmackDown event on New Year’s Eve.

However, last summer, the WWE listed Gable Steveson for roster cuts, and subsequently released the 24-year-old. Now, with a newfound interest in MMA, ‘The Golden Gable’ has been influenced by Jon Jones, the 17-year veteran of the sport. ‘Bones’, widely regarded as one of MMA’s greatest, has guided the two-time NCAA champion toward a potential career in mixed martial arts.

In an interview with MMA Fighting last year, Gable Steveson hinted at his future in the sport, saying, “The door to MMA is slowly starting to open up. As I put the gloves on, I really enjoy the feeling of combining everything—from wrestling to boxing, kickboxing, and jiu-jitsu—into one. That definitely sparked something in me to pursue MMA… It really lit a fire under me.”

What do you think lies ahead for Gable Steveson? After having his dream of winning a third NCAA gold shattered, should the Minnesota wrestling standout now make the leap into MMA? Share your thoughts below!