Gable Steveson expects Josh Hokit to drop to 205 before fight

Gable Steveson thinks a showdown with Josh Hokit will happen at heavyweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">light heavyweight, not in their current division.

The Olympic gold medalist and two-time NCAA champion makes his UFC debut Saturday against Elisha Ellison on the UFC 329 prelims at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Asked about a potential matchup with Hokit, who trains at the same Albuquerque gym, Steveson said he'd heard his occasional training partner plans to drop to 205 pounds.

"We've been in the same room many times," Steveson told media at Wednesday's event, per MMA Mania. "Josh is doing a fantastic job of what Josh does and good for him … No, it's not tough for me to go against Josh Hokit. I honestly heard that Josh Hokit was going to go down to 205 [pounds] from someone. So if he does go down, that would be a great decision for him in the long run."

Hokit yet to confirm weight class move

Hokit has made no public statement about moving divisions. The 3-0 heavyweight has repeatedly called out Alex Pereira for a fight in recent weeks, suggesting he intends to stay put for now. Hokit climbed from the undercard to the UFC White House event last month, winning four straight to crack the top tier of heavyweight contenders.

Steveson, also 3-0 as a pro, has stopped all three opponents and enters his UFC debut as a heavy favourite. He faces Ellison on the UFC 329 prelims Saturday night.

Reported via:

• MMA Mania — Gable Steveson vs. Josh Hokit? UFC 329’s Steveson believes Hokit heading to 205