​Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson isn’t overly concerned about a rising rival and former training partner in Josh Hokit. Both athletes train in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and are linked to the renowned Jackson-Wink MMA Academy. While the full extent of their relationship remains unclear, Steveson recently acknowledged that they have shared the mats many times. He also indicated that he believes Hokit will move down to 205 pounds, which would make a direct matchup between them less likely to pose an immediate issue.
A couple of days later, Steveson grew somewhat more emphatic when discussing a potential clash with “The Incredible Hok.” As the debuting blue-chip prospect in the scene, Steveson didn’t hold back. Speaking with Jon-Bernard Kairouz, he made it clear that he doesn’t view Hokit as being on his level. “I’ve never seen him in a bracket that I was in,” Steveson said. “I’ve always been aware of Josh Hokit, because he did wrestle Heavyweight. He went from 197 to Heavyweight and I never saw him in a bracket. I never met him. I never wrestled him. I never even thought about the thought of, ‘Man, what would it be like to wrestle Josh Hokit?’”
Steveson continued with a bold comparison, challenging the notion that someone like Bo Nickal could pin him in a wrestling match. “If Bo Nickel can go out there and pin you …? You think Bo Nickal can pin me? Bo Nickal cannot pin me. You know what I would do to Bo Nickal in a wrestling match? I would beat Bo Nickal 10-0 in under a minute … I’m so excited for Josh Hokit to move down to 205. I’m so excited for him to go to 205 and have a great time at 205 and achieve everything he can at 205. Because if he says a heavyweight, I think there’s gonna come a time where someone like myself or someone else will disrupt him before that. I really believe Josh should go to 205. When you mention wrestling, he’s not on the same level as me. When you mention fighting, it’s the same thing.”
For the record, Hokit defended his decision to stay at Heavyweight, posting on X just the previous night that he intends to remain at Heavyweight, chase gold, and attain Baddest-Man-on-the-Planet status. Hokit is presently much closer to UFC gold than Steveson in the contemporary landscape, though it isn’t out of the question that their paths might cross in the near future. Add a dash of bad blood, and the potential for a genuine rivalry begins to take shape. Of course, Steveson will need to deliver on his side of the bargain and live up to the hype. He enters UFC 329 as the biggest betting favorite in UFC history tonight against Elisha Ellison, and a quick finish in his UFC debut would accelerate his ascent toward top-flight competition and a possible future showdown with a note-worthy rival like “The Incredible Hok.”
As the UFC journey unfolds, the dynamic between Steveson and Hokit remains a storyline to watch. Steveson’s confidence and bold statements have fueled expectations, and Hokit’s determination to prove he belongs among the sport’s elite only adds to the tension. If their paths cross in a competitive setting within the next year or so, fans could be treated to a compelling chapter in a potential rivalry that blends wrestling history with MMA ambition.