Jon Jones protégé Gable Stevenson is the subsequent massive identify in MMA, and though the 25-year-old hasn’t signed with the UFC but, he is most likely probably the most talked about heavyweight fighter on the planet proper now.
Jones just lately hinted that he may not retire and re-enter the Octagon, however he’s getting ready for Stevenson and has massive plans for the latter.
Gable Stevenson is an Olympic wrestling gold medalist, two-time NCAA Division I nationwide champion and five-time All-American. He has acquired a number of different awards. Steveson made his MMA debut final 12 months at LFA 217 in opposition to Braden Peterson, profitable by technical knockout within the first spherical.
Later that 12 months, he confronted Kevin Hine, once more securing a primary spherical stoppage victory. Stevenson presently has knowledgeable MMA report of 2-0 and is scheduled to face Hugo Lezama (11-3) at MFL 3 later this month.
Jon Jones says Gable Stevenson will ‘destroy’ different heavyweights
In accordance with Jon Jones, the budding MMA star might be a UFC champion by this time subsequent 12 months. ‘Bones’ just lately confessed that Steveson is a greater athlete than he was earlier in his profession and that the 25-year-old goes to “devastate” the UFC heavyweights. In a latest interview with Helen E Sports activities, Jones mentioned:
“He (Gable Stevenson) is unbelievable. He is an unbelievable athlete and human being. He is far more disciplined and devoted than after I was that age, and I am scared. I am scared for the way forward for the UFC. Like, he will do horrible issues. He’ll destroy individuals.”
The previous UFC two-division champion added that Gable Stevenson has every little thing a fighter must develop into a champion, and that the latter will seize the UFC heavyweight strap in 2027.
“I may see it taking place this time subsequent 12 months (Gable Stevenson changing into UFC champion). As soon as he indicators with the UFC, you will not be capable of cease him. He can assault and I feel that is his weak spot proper now. His grappling is thru the roof. His takedowns are unstoppable, his floor and pound are efficient, his sense of figuring out the place his physique is always. He simply has all of it. And as soon as he actually learns what he is doing, it isn’t going to be honest. ”
Nonetheless, Jon Jones additionally added that the 25-year-old should be ready and established earlier than he steps into the Octagon. Subsequently, UFC followers must wait slightly longer.
“Proper now, we’ve got objectives exterior of the UFC. We wish to set up him in order that when he will get into the UFC, there is no query about his skill.”
Try Jon Jones’ remark under (1:58):
It feels just like the UFC heavyweight division is dropping its luster. Champion Tom Aspinall is out with a watch harm. Followers apart from Aspinall, Cyril Gane, Waldo Cortez-Acosta, Sergei Pavlovic and some others have repeatedly criticized the division’s athleticism.
Jon Jones is unlikely to return, so maybe his protégé may assist revive a once-thriving division.
