Gable Steveson has officially signed with the UFC and will make his promotional debut at UFC 329 on July 11 during International Fight Week.
Signing and UFC debut
The UFC confirmed the signing during the UFC 327 broadcast. Steveson was in the crowd for that event and was seated next to former champion Jon Jones. Jones has been helping Steveson as he moves into full-time mixed martial arts.
The UFC announced Steveson will fight on the UFC 329 card on July 11. No opponent for his UFC debut has been named in the announcement.
Steveson’s background
Steveson is best known as an Olympic gold medalist from Tokyo. He was also a top college wrestler at the University of Minnesota. While there, he became a four-time conference champion and a five-time NCAA Division I All-American. He won the NCAA championship twice and reached the finals a third time.
After college, Steveson tried careers in other sports and entertainment. He had short stints with WWE and had a tryout with the Buffalo Bills. He then moved to professional MMA in 2025.
Pro MMA start and other bookings
Since turning to professional MMA, Steveson has recorded three first-round finishes. He is also signed to the Russian-based organization RAF and is expected to fight Alexandr Romanov at RAF 9 on May 30. That fight is listed separately from his UFC debut.
What to watch
Steveson’s transition from elite wrestling to MMA will be the main story. Fans will watch how his wrestling skills adapt to striking and cage work. Jon Jones’ involvement in his training adds interest and expectations.
Two key dates to note: May 30, when Steveson is expected to face Alexandr Romanov at RAF 9, and July 11, when he will make his first UFC appearance at UFC 329 during International Fight Week.
| Fighter | Recent Result / Status |
|---|---|
| Gable Steveson | Three first-round finishes in professional MMA; signed with UFC; expected at RAF 9 (May 30) |
| Alexandr Romanov | Expected to face Steveson at RAF 9 on May 30 |
More fight details and Steveson’s UFC opponent should be announced as the events draw near. Fans will be watching both his RAF appearance and his UFC debut to see how quickly he can rise in MMA.
