​Gable Steveson is primed to make his UFC debut and is determined to leave a lasting impression, especially with the legendary Jon Jones by his side. The Olympic gold medalist steps into the Octagon against Elisha Ellison at UFC 329, marking his first walk to the big stage. As a protégé of former two-division champion and all-time great Jon Jones, Steveson understands the weight of having a living legend in his corner. In fact, you could argue that Jones has been more enthusiastic about Steveson’s MMA future than he ever was about his own career.
“He’s got high hopes for me,” Steveson told MMA Fighting. “I think he kind of sees his skill set in me and imagines what I can do with his toolkit and how I can merge what he did with how I fight, and that’s why he’s so excited. He’s thrilled to watch someone he’s mentored step into this sport, and that’s pretty cool to see.”
Steveson comes into the UFC with a flawless 3-0 record, all three wins coming by first-round finish. He also boasts a 15-second knockout win from his lone appearance for Dirty Boxing. In recent competition, Steveson returned to the wrestling mat for a tech fall victory over former UFC fighter Alexandr Romanov at RAF 9 in May, signaling his continued athletic versatility and readiness to mix it up with high-level competitors.
Beyond the personal coaching dynamic, having Jones in his corner could subtly alter the dynamics for Steveson’s opponents. The 26-year-old sees Jones’s presence as a significant advantage that could influence how others perceive him as he steps into the cage.
“It’s a big thing to have Jon Jones in my corner,” Steveson explained. “It’s a huge confidence booster. If you watch us walk out together, opponents will look at Jon and think, ‘That’s the greatest of all time in the corner of Gable Steveson, showing him what to do. What is Gable Steveson possibly going to do to me that Jon has taught him?’ It’s a massive confidence lift, and I hope that as the walkouts continue, the sight of Jon rings a little more fear into my opponents.”
Jones, who stepped away from active competition and vacated the heavyweight title—now held by Tom Aspinall—has long pursued a potential return to the Octagon. The idea of Jones potentially competing again, perhaps on a shared card with Steveson, has generated excitement among fans and analysts alike. However, the decision rests with Jones, who has shown that he will pursue whatever path he believes is right for him.
“Yeah, it would be really cool if he fought again, but Jon’s going to do whatever Jon wants to do,” Steveson said. “If he decides to come back, he’ll come back, but we’ll see.” For Steveson, the focus remains squarely on his UFC debut, his preparation, and the opportunity to demonstrate his potential on the sport’s biggest stage.
UFC 329 marks a pivotal moment not just for Steveson but for the evolving relationship between a rising heavyweight prospect and a living legend whose guidance could shape more than just a single fight. As Steveson prepares to walk to the Octagon, the MMA world watches closely to see how his blend of wrestling pedigree, athletic versatility, and a strategic, Jones-informed approach translates to the UFC landscape. If his first impressions are any indication, Steveson intends to make a bold statement—one that could set the tone for a promising career in mixed martial arts, with Jones’s presence continuing to loom large as a source of confidence, strategy, and perhaps even strategic edge against his opponents.