Gable Steveson debut opponent: Dana White rules out Top 15
Gable Steveson will not draw a Top 15 heavyweight when he steps into the Octagon for the first time this summer.
UFC president Dana White told reporters at the post-fight presser in Winnipeg on Saturday that the Olympic gold medalist will be matched carefully for his promotional debut at UFC 329 on July 11 in Las Vegas, per Sherdog. The approach contradicts earlier speculation that Steveson might jump straight into ranked competition.
“CM Punk fought here — we’ll find somebody,” White said, according to MMA Mania. “I don’t know if we go after a Top 15 guy. The UFC jitters are real. I don’t care how you’ve competed or where or what you’ve done. When you come here, it’s a different level.”
Why UFC is protecting Steveson early
White added that the promotion’s matchmakers will target an opponent at what they believe matches the 25-year-old’s current skill level. Steveson carries a 3-0 record in MMA, with all three wins coming by stoppage inside one round. His most recent appearance came in February at Mexico Fight League 3, where he stopped Hugo Lezama late in the first.
The cautious rollout follows the blueprint UFC has used for other big-name heavyweight signings, particularly those without extensive cage experience. Steveson, who has trained extensively with Jon Jones, will face Alexander Romanov in a non-UFC bout at Real American Freestyle 9 on May 30 in Arlington before his Octagon arrival six weeks later.
No opponent has been announced for the UFC 329 card.
Photo by yousef samuil on Unsplash
Original reporting:
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