Gable Steveson: Did win| Odds| Height| Record| MMA Debut

Gable Dan Steveson is a name on the lips of every combat sports fan. Wrestler, Olympic champion, NFL hopeful, WWE experiment, and now an MMA fighter. In this article we explore: did he win his MMA debut, what were the odds, his height and physical stats, his past record in wrestling and other sports, and the details of his entry into mixed martial arts.

Who is Gable Steveson?

• Born May 31, 2000.

• An American wrestler from Apple Valley, Minnesota.

• He has an outstanding folkstyle and freestyle wrestling background: two-time NCAA Division I heavyweight national champion, multiple Big Ten titles, All-American honors, and Olympic gold in freestyle (Tokyo 2020).

Steveson has been in the public eye not just for wrestling but for branching into other sports: whispers of WWE, a stint connected to the NFL (signed by the Buffalo Bills, later released), etc.

Height, Weight & Physical Stats

Physical attributes are key in combat sports, especially at the heavyweight level. Here are the known stats for Steveson:

These dimensions put him right in the mix in heavyweight divisions: not the tallest, perhaps, but with elite wrestling pedigree. His wrestling past gives him strength, grappling skill, and explosiveness that many in MMA covet.

Did He Win His MMA Debut?

Yes, Gable Steveson won his MMA debut.

• Opponent: Braden Peterson.

• Event: LFA 217 (Legacy Fighting Alliance) on September 12, 2025, at Prior Lake, Minnesota.

• Result: First‐round TKO via ground and pound.

• Time of finish: Approx. 1 minute 38 seconds into Round 1.

So yes — Steveson did win, convincingly, in his first pro MMA fight.

MMA Debut: Expectations & Odds

Expectations

Given his pedigree, expectations were high. Some points:

• Steveson had been an elite wrestler, Olympic champ, NCAA champion, etc., so the shift to MMA generated media interest.

• He had tried other paths (WWE, NFL) before committing to MMA. This transition is not uncommon: other top wrestlers have made that shift.

Odds

While detailed betting odds vary by source, we know that he was a massive favorite in his first MMA bout.

• For example, in Tapology’s record of the fight, he was heavily favored against Peterson.

• The public and analysts expected him to dominate, especially given his wrestling base, physical strength, and athleticism.

There’s no exact universal quote like “-300”, “+400”, etc., in the sources I found, but descriptions (“massive favorite”, etc.) indicate strong confidence from the betting/public side.

Wrestling and Other Record Before MMA

To place his MMA debut in context, here is a summary of his athletic record before stepping into the cage.

Wrestling Career

• Olympic Gold Medalist in freestyle wrestling (Tokyo 2020) in super heavyweight category (125 kg).

• Multiple age-group world championships in freestyle.

• In folkstyle (collegiate) wrestling: two NCAA Division I national titles, four-time Big Ten champion, five-time All-American (University of Minnesota).

• He came back to wrestling after trying out other sports, and despite some setbacks (e.g. match losses), his wrestling credentials are top-tier.

Other Sports / Ventures

• Signed with WWE after his Olympic win; had appearances. Later released in 2024.

• Signed by the NFL team Buffalo Bills in 2024 as an undrafted free agent defensive tackle; released before the regular season.

These experiences show that even before MMA, Steveson was exploring his athletic versatility. MMA fits well with his wrestling base, but of course striking, conditioning, submissions etc., are new.

MMA Record (So Far)

Since he just made his debut, his MMA record is:

• Professional MMA Record: 1 win, 0 losses, 0 draws.

• Win method: TKO (ground and pound) in Round 1.

• Time of finish: ~ 1:38 in Round 1.

Because this is just the start, it will be interesting to see how he develops: striking, endurance, submissions, defense, etc.

Size & Fighting Style Advantages

Steveson enters MMA with several built‐in advantages:

1. Elite wrestling — often the base from which many successful MMA fighters build (e.g. Daniel Cormier, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Henry Cejudo). His takedowns, control on the mat, and conditioning in wrestling are strong foundations.

2. Physical strength & explosion — used to competing at heavyweight in wrestling; his ability to generate power and control weight against large opponents helps.

3. Youth & athleticism — born in 2000, he is still relatively young in combat sports terms. He can develop skills in striking, submissions etc., over time.

4. Marketability & spotlight — with his Olympic status and crossover endeavors (WWE, but also NFL interest), there will be more attention, more opportunities for high-profile training partners, and likely better coaching and fight camps. This can accelerate his evolution.

On the flip side, disadvantages to watch out for:

• Less experience in striking and submission fighting at a professional MMA level.

• The transition from wrestling to MMA isn’t automatic; cardio, damage absorption, takedown defense, striking defense, etc., all come into play.

• Opponents in future likely to be more well‐rounded.

Detailed Look: MMA Debut at LFA 217

Let’s break down what happened in his first MMA fight, how it was set up, what we learned, and what it may mean for the future.

Build-up

• Announced ahead of time: on August 21, 2025, Reuters reported that Steveson was set to make MMA debut on September 12, 2025, in LFA vs Braden Peterson.

• Steveson pulled out of grappling superfight vs Craig Jones due to turf toe.

• He made weight: tipped the scales at 259.2 lbs for the fight.

The Fight

• Took place at LFA 217, Prior Lake, Minnesota.

• Opponent: Braden Peterson (record 1-0 before fight)

• Method of victory: ground and pound, TKO in round 1. Referee stoppage.

• Timing: approx. 1:38 mark of the first round.

What We Learned

• Steveson showed composure in transitioning from wrestling to MMA in a live scenario.

• Takedown and ground control were decisive; striking was not the central feature except as follow-up on the ground. This is typical for someone with his background.

• The quick finish suggests he was physically imposing and mentally prepared. Also, that opponent was perhaps not on the same skill level in wrestling/cage control.

• Odds and expectations played a role: he was heavily favored, and delivered. No major shock or upset. That builds confidence.

Odds: What Were They & How Did They Reflect Public Sentiment?

While exact numeric odds vary by sportsbook, the narrative is clear from multiple reports:

• He was a heavy favorite in the fight.

• Public predictions were overwhelmingly on Steveson’s side.

These odds reflect both respect for his accomplishments in wrestling (Olympic, NCAA championships) and skepticism about his MMA experience. But ultimately, he showed enough to edge past the concern: he won quickly, decisively.

What This Means for the Future

Gable Steveson’s first MMA fight is just the beginning. Here are likely trajectories and challenges ahead, plus what to watch for.

Trajectories

• If he continues winning, he could become a major name in heavyweight MMA, especially if he sharpens striking and submissions.

• Given his name recognition, he may get fights in larger promotions (UFC, PFL, etc.) sooner rather than later, assuming his management and performance merit it.

• He could follow a path similar to other wrestlers who successfully converted to MMA.

Challenges

• Striking (both offense and defense) will be a learning curve.

• Submissions: not just avoiding being submitted, but being effective in that domain.

• Endurance in later rounds, cage control versus fighters with more mixed background.

• Matching with more dangerous rivals who bring better striking, speed, or all-around MMA skill.

• Adjusting from wrestling training pace to MMA’s requirements: sparring, cutting weight, recovery, etc.

What to Watch Next

• How he does in second and third fight: is the pattern similar or does he stretch into later rounds?

• Quality of opponent: Will he face someone with MMA experience, good striking, or experienced grappling?

• Improvement in striking: does he rely only on takedowns and ground work, or begin to bring in powerful and technical stand-up?

• Promotions: whether he can move from LFA (a feeder league) to top tier (e.g. UFC).

Summary: Key Stats & Takeaways

Here’s a condensed summary of the key facts about Steveson as of his MMA debut:

• MMA Record: 1-0-0 (Win by TKO in Round 1).

• Height: ~6 ft 1 in (185 cm).

• Weight for debut: 259.2 lbs.

• Odds: heavily in his favor; public & bookmaker expectation was that he would win.

• Debut performance: Impressive; quick takedown, dominant ground game, referee stoppage.

FAQs

Q: What was his wrestling achievements before MMA?
A: Olympic gold (Tokyo 2020), multiple NCAA titles, Big Ten championships, All-American honors.

Q: Does he have a reach statistic?
A: Sources like Tapology do not clearly list his reach.

Q: Did he ever compete in professional MMA before this fight?
A: No; this was his first professional MMA matchup.

Q: Was there any cancellation or foot injury before this fight?
A: Yes, he was scheduled to grapple against Craig Jones at CJI2 but withdrew due to turf toe.

Conclusion

Gable Steveson’s entry into MMA was exactly the kind of debut many expected: dominant, fast, and emphatic. He did win, with a first-round TKO, in his debut fight at LFA 217. His height, weight, record, and wrestling pedigree all support that outcome. While odds were heavily in his favor, what’s more important for his future is how he grows: his striking, submission game, and ability to deal with adversity inside the cage.

He has the foundation, the athletic tools, and the spotlight. If he capitalizes on them, MMA could be another stage where he shines. But the road ahead will test him in ways wrestling never did.