Gable Steveson has spent less than three minutes in professional combat sports, yet he has already left a strong impression. Across two MMA fights and a Dirty Boxing bout, he has finished every contest by knockout. His Olympic gold medal in freestyle wrestling adds a layer of technical dominance few can match.
Even without a UFC contract, Steveson is attracting attention for his unusual combination of speed, power, and athletic instincts.
Rogan’s assessment on the JRE MMA Show
On a recent episode of The JRE MMA Show, Joe Rogan hosted Steveson and didn’t hold back his assessment of the young athlete’s place in the division.
“I sent Dana White a text message. I said ‘Everyone’s f—ked,” Rogan told Steveson. “ … That kind of speed, incorporated with elite wrestling is crazy.”
Rogan emphasized that few heavyweights currently possess the skill set to challenge Steveson.
“The heavyweight division is so shallow right now. You’ve got Tom Aspinall, Ciryl Gane, Jon Jones if he chooses to fight again, Francis [Ngannou] … if by some miracle they can work something out and bring him back to the UFC. Other than that there’s no one compelling for like a championship calibre fighter. There’s basically four or five guys on earth that are in this championship calibre class. And you’re already there, which is nuts, and you haven’t even fought in the UFC yet.”
Who can even challenge him?
Rogan further explained how Steveson’s movement and speed make him difficult to stop.
“When I watched you move and I watched you fight I was like, ‘ok, how do you stop that? Whose got the skills to be able to stop that?’ And in mind there’s like only a few guys that’s going to be a problem. The Francis Ngannou’s, the Ciryl Gane’s and the Tom Aspinall’s. That’s it! The only problem is gonna be you getting fights. That kind of speed is bananas for a 250-pound man.”
According to Rogan, Steveson’s combination of speed, wrestling, and knockout power is rare for a heavyweight, making him a potential game-changer before even stepping into the UFC.
Joe Rogan thinks Gable Steveson is already a top 5 heavyweight in the world 👀
“I sent Dana White a text message. I said ‘Everyone’s f*cked.'” 😳
(via @joerogan) pic.twitter.com/wZoWDhl32L
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) January 2, 2026
Steveson’s athleticism is exceptional, but Rogan and observers alike note that experience is still a factor. Young elite wrestlers sometimes struggle when fights extend into later rounds. Pacing, endurance, and adapting under pressure are lessons that can only come from time in the cage.
At 25, Steveson has ample opportunity to refine his skills and gradually take on higher-level competition without being rushed into title fights or immediate matches against top contenders.
The next step for Steveson could be a Contender Series bout or another developmental showcase. A strong performance there might set the stage for a UFC debut in the Octagon. His foundational skills, combined with mentorship from top fighters, provide a solid platform for long-term success.
