Gable Dan Steveson entered the mixed martial arts world in sensational fashion — a First-Round TKO that left fans buzzing. But to understand how big this moment was, you need to know his storied past as one of America’s elite wrestlers, his record before MMA, and how he dismantled Braden Peterson in his debut. This article breaks it all down.
Early Life & Wrestling Roots
Born May 31, 2000, in Portage, Indiana, Gable Steveson grew up in a household deeply rooted in wrestling. His family moved to Apple Valley, Minnesota, when he was in junior high to take advantage of the strong high school wrestling programs.
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High school: Steveson dominated in Apple Valley High School, winning four state titles and building an impressive win streak. He was recognized early on not just for wins but for pinning ability.
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He also received youth national and world titles in freestyle and folkstyle wrestling. From U17, U20 worlds to national junior competitions, he was setting the stage for senior-level dominance. Wikipedia
Collegiate & Freestyle Wrestling Career (Record Before MMA)
Before stepping into an MMA cage, Steveson’s wrestling accolades were already legendary. Here’s a breakdown of his performance and record in wrestling, highlighting the achievements that made his debut so anticipated.
NCAA & College Achievements
Steveson wrestled for the University of Minnesota where:
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He became a two-time NCAA Division I national champion in the heavyweight (285 lbs) class.
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He was a multiple-time Big Ten Champion, known for both strategy and brute strength on the mat.
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He was a multiple-time All-American and won awards like the Dan Hodge Trophy (given to the most dominant college wrestler) more than once.
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His record in college matches: very few losses; many wins by bonus (major decision, technical fall, fall) reflecting dominance. Exact win-loss numbers vary by season, but he was widely considered among the very top.
Freestyle / Olympic Success
Outside of college:
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Steveson won Olympic Gold in freestyle wrestling at Tokyo 2020 in the 125 kg category.
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He is also a multiple age-group world champion, with wins at Junior World, U17 and U20 levels.
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He had strong performances in other international tournaments (Pan-American Championships, US World Team Trials, etc.), often overcoming big names.
These results meant that by the time he was thinking about MMA, Steveson was not just known for potential — he was a proven champion in the wrestling world.
Transition to Other Combat / Sports Ventures
Before fully committing to MMA, Steveson explored other avenues:
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He briefly signed with WWE (professional wrestling). While that’s different from competitive MMA, it represented a shift into entertainment combat sports.
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He signed with the Buffalo Bills (NFL) in 2024, attempting a switch to professional football as a defensive lineman, even though that was a completely different discipline. His football stint was short-lived.
These moves added intrigue: fans wondered whether his true calling lay in MMA, pro wrestling, or another field entirely. But his wrestling foundation remained his strongest asset.
Turning Point: MMA Debut vs Braden Peterson
The fight was set: Steveson vs Braden Peterson at LFA 217 on September 12, 2025, in Prior Lake, Minnesota. This would be Steveson’s official professional MMA debut.
What Happened in the Fight
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Steveson made a striking statement ‒ he won by first-round TKO via ground and pound. The stoppage came at 1:38 into Round 1.
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After absorbing a few initial leg kicks from Peterson, Steveson shot for a takedown early, landed it clean, and took control of the fight on the ground.
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Once on top, he unleashed a barrage of strikes (ground and pound) that left Peterson unable to intelligently defend, forcing the referee to step in.
Why It Mattered
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It showed he could translate wrestling dominance into MMA, particularly in securing takedowns and ground control.
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Displayed composure: even though MMA striking is a new variable, Steveson showed he could take a bit of stand-up work (the leg kicks) and still execute his game plan.
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The speed of the finish (only 1:38) indicated readiness; he didn’t need time to warm up or figure out how to fight in the cage.
Technical Breakdown: What Worked For Steveson
To appreciate the performance fully, let’s look at how Steveson won technically.
| Phase | What Steveson Did Well | Key Strengths |
|---|---|---|
| Striking / Stand-up | He parried or absorbed leg kicks, didn’t get rattled, used them to mask his level change. | Good footwork, composure, built-in fight IQ. |
| Takedown | Early shot, timing was clean; used speed and weight to close distance and level change. | Elite wrestling base, strong chain wrestling instincts. |
| Ground Control | Secured dominant top position quickly; prevented escapes or offensive surges. | Strong physical base, balance, body control. |
| Ground and Pound | Heavy, accurate strikes from top; mixed up punches to head and body, enough volume to force stoppage. | Power, conditioning, awareness of referee criteria. |
Comparing Peterson vs What Steveson Faced Before
Braden Peterson was Steveson’s first MMA opponent, so direct comparison is limited. But from what is known:
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Peterson had a modest record (1-0 before this fight) and was seen as someone to test Steveson’s debut rather than a top contender.
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Steveson had far greater experience in combat sports (via wrestling and tournaments); Peterson’s resume didn’t have that level of high-pressure international or national titles.
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Thus, there was a gap in experience, but Steveson’s performance suggests that gap is not just theoretical — he closed it decisively.
Steveson’s Record Before MMA
Putting together all the available information, here is what Steveson’s record looked like before moving into MMA:
| Domain | Approximate Win-Loss or Key Achievements |
|---|---|
| High School Folkstyle | Multiple state titles; long win streak; high pin/bonus rate. |
| College (NCAA) | Multiple championships (2 NCAA titles), very few losses; All-American status multiple times. |
| Freestyle / International | Olympic gold in 2020; U20/U17 world championships; dominating performances in US trials and Pan-American events. |
| Cross-sport ventures (NFL/WWE) | No competition record in MMA, but showed willingness to try other elite sport/combat formats. |
Thus, while his official MMA record was 0-0 before LFA 217, his athletic and combat credentials were unparalleled for someone stepping into a cage for the first time.
Aftermath & Significance
Impact on the MMA World
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The MMA community was already watching Steveson with curiosity. His Olympic pedigree raised expectations, but performances don’t always translate. This debut confirmed many of the expectations: he has the wrestling dominance, physicality, and mindset to succeed.
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It generated questions: How far can he go? When will he get signed by a major MMA promotion (UFC, Bellator, etc.)? Who will his future opponents be?
What Steveson Proved
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He is more than a wrestler: showed good adaptability in MMA setting.
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Can finish fights: not content with close decision, he looked to dominate.
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Has a strong coaching & camp setup (notably, he had Jon Jones cornering him) which adds to credibility.
For Braden Peterson
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Though Steveson’s performance was dominant, for Peterson, the fight was a showcase of what top-level wrestling plus MMA cross-training can overcome.
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Some will argue the mismatch was steep, but Peterson still had the opportunity; Steveson’s finish was clean, imposing, and left little doubt.
Future Outlook
What comes next for Steveson is full of potential:
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Next Fights – matching him against increasingly tougher MMA competition will test how well his ground game scales, whether he needs to sharpen striking defence, cardio over multiple rounds, etc.
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Promotion Deals – many are suggesting the UFC should sign him; the attention is there. How long he stays in regional circuits may depend on how his management handles offers and matchmaking.
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Training Regime Adjustments – to succeed in MMA, even elite wrestlers need to further develop striking, jiu-jitsu (submission grappling), fight IQ under small cages, dealing with damage, etc. Given his start, however, expectations are high that he’ll do so swiftly.
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Brand & Media Presence – Steveson already has name recognition from wrestling and Olympic achievements. A strong debut in MMA boosts his marketability; how he handles public appearances, media, social media will matter.
Concluding Thoughts
Gable Steveson’s first MMA outing was more than just a win—it was a statement. A first-round TKO over Braden Peterson, achieved through elite wrestling, composure, and finishing instinct, showed that Steveson had both the pedigree and the performance.
While his record before MMA was already exceptional — Olympic gold, collegiate dominance, multiple championships — there was always a question: can that translate into MMA? His performance at LFA 217 answered with a resounding yes.
For fans and analysts, this marks the start of a new chapter. Steveson is no longer just a wrestler or Olympian; he’s a fighter in MMA. What remains is watching how high and how fast he can climb.
