December 21, 2024
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College
The MatBoss Minnesota Christmas Tournament welcomed a special guest this year: Olympic gold medalist and wrestling legend Gable Steveson. We had the privilege of sitting down with Gable to talk about his return to wrestling, his time with the NFL, his experiences in the UFC, and what the future might hold.
When asked why he decided to return to wrestling this season, Gable’s answer was both reflective and determined:
“I had the year left, and I didn’t want to leave none behind. A part of me after 2022 kind of left some behind, and so I wanted to come back and finish off…instead of going on throughout my life and having that piece of saying, ‘Oh, you should have done it.’”
For Gable, it’s not just about personal achievements. His belief in the potential of his Minnesota team played a significant role in his decision:
“I saw potential in the team…especially adding me at heavyweight. There’s a lot of solid guys, and I think we can compete for a trophy or be very close.”
Despite his individual success, Gable is laser-focused on achieving something he hasn’t yet accomplished: a team trophy for Minnesota.
“I obviously want to win and get my hand raised in March…but you come to a team to build that atmosphere and that legacy of leaving a team trophy behind.”
Gable’s leadership and presence as a heavyweight wrestler could very well be the boost Minnesota needs to make that dream a reality.
Gable’s foray into the NFL with the Buffalo Bills was a challenging but rewarding experience. Reflecting on the transition from wrestling to football, he shared how much he had to learn:
“I didn’t have cleats for my tryout. They had to loan me some. I didn’t know how to get into a stance or hit the dummies. But just being able to learn all that and focus my time on the game of football was really cool.”
Though his time with the Bills was short, Gable hopes to get another shot at football:
“Hopefully I can get on another team and do it again. That’d be really nice.”
Gable also shared his recent experience training with UFC legend Jon Jones. He described the opportunity as both inspiring and educational:
“Being with Jon Jones was one of a kind. He reached out and asked if I could help with his camp. Honestly, it was more of a mini internship…he was like, ‘You can follow these footsteps if you want, and I’ll show you how it’s done.’”
When asked if there’s a future for him in the UFC, Gable hinted that it’s a possibility: “Time will tell, but it was definitely eye-opening.”
After watching rivals like Greg Kerkvliet, Cohlton Schultz, and Wyatt Hendrickson from the sidelines last year, Gable is more motivated than ever to take his wrestling to the next level. As for another Olympic run? Gable has his sights set on 2028:
“2028 would be really nice, especially because it’s in America, in LA. Being able to win another gold medal in front of the home crowd would be really cool.”
Don’t miss the full conversation with Gable Steveson, where he shares more about his mindset, his goals, and his journey. Check out the video below to hear directly from one of wrestling’s greatest.
The entire wrestling community is excited to watch Gable Steveson’s journey unfold this season and beyond. Whether it’s on the mat, the gridiron, or in the octagon, Gable continues to inspire with his drive and determination. We wish him the best of luck as he finishes his collegiate career and prepares for whatever challenges lie ahead!
