Rising heavyweight MMA star Gable Steveson reveals ideal return timeline after UFC 329 debut win
Gable Steveson has opened up about when he'd like to return after his incredible win in his octagon debut at UFC 329.
Gable Steveson has asserted that he'd like to compete in yet another high-profile UFC event next.
The Olympic gold medalist in freestyle wrestling made his UFC promotional debut on the star-studded UFC 329 card in Las Vegas, which was headlined by combat sports megastar Conor McGregor's comeback fight after the latter's five-year MMA hiatus.
Steveson has now suggested that he'd ideally like to compete at Madison Square Garden next, on the UFC's yearly high-profile card that takes place at the iconic MSG in New York in November.
Gable Steveson calls for next MMA fight to be at Madison Square Garden in November, ready to fight before if booked
Appearing on the Kairouz Bros YouTube channel after his spectacular victory over Elisha Ellison at UFC 329, Gable Steveson addressed multiple topics.
The grappling savant notably indicated that his stance regarding the heavyweight division remains the same, as he'd previously stated that he'd like to take on all comers.
Moreover, when asked whether he could return to the octagon within the ensuing six-month period and possibly 'speedrun' the heavyweight division, Steveson signaled that he'd like his next fight to be on the UFC's annual MSG card in November.
The 26-year-old implied, however, that he'd readily fight before if booked to do so by the UFC.
Steveson stated, "We will. I'd love MSG in November. You know? November would be nice. MSG. Go back-to-back on big stages. But if one comes before, we'd definitely take it."
Watch Gable Steveson discuss his next MMA matchup's possible timeline and more below (*comments at the 3:25-minute mark of the video):
Gable Steveson joins Josh Hokit in the list of rising stars of the UFC heavyweight division
Gable Steveson has long been hailed as a future UFC heavyweight champion. The American fighter trains with former UFC light heavyweight and heavyweight champion Jon Jones, who retired from MMA last year but is believed to have kept the door open for a possible comeback.
Steveson is currently 4-0 as a professional MMA fighter, having made his UFC debut by beating Elisha Ellison via KO at UFC 329 this past Saturday night.
The wrestling extraordinaire has extensively trained, and continues to, at the world-renowned Jackson Wink MMA Academy in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Incidentally, his fellow heavyweight, Josh Hokit, also trains at the Jackson Wink gym. Hokit has been at odds with Steveson as of late. Both teammates have lately traded barbs and expressed interest in fighting one another.
A number of fans and experts have cited Steveson's entry into the UFC roster as a sign of the rise of multiple young stars in the organization's fearsome heavyweight division.
That said, many believe Steveson still has a few fights to go to acquire adequate experience before he enters the upper echelons of his weight class. Meanwhile, Hokit is already knocking on the door of a potential title shot.
