​Gable Steveson has a bright horizon ahead after delivering an impressive win at UFC 329, and he’s already naming some of the biggest names he wants to test himself against next. Comparisons have often linked him to Josh Hokit, another rising heavyweight prospect who rocketed into a top-10 UFC ranking just four fights into his promotion career. The two have traded barbs and conversations in the public arena, with Hokit firing back on social media after Steveson’s recent interview remarks about him. “Remember, this ain’t wrestling,” Hokit wrote. “If anyone signs up to face me in a fist fight, better have a good insurance policy. It will take your doctor time to put your face back together, unless you quit like the last guy I fought. This includes the guy [Jon Jones] that trains you. I’m the baddest man on the planet. [UFC], give me Ciryl and I will prove it… I will clear this whole division out by the end of 2027. You won’t have to wonder how fights will go. I actually want to fight them all. I just want to get paid when I do it which means I need the title.”
Steveson’s UFC debut at the Las Vegas event proved he could win decisively, as he finished Elisha Ellison inside the first round. When asked about Hokit’s response, Steveson kept a calm, confident stance. “Like I said, I like Josh as a fighter,” he said. “Josh is a character. Josh wants to make sure people follow him on Instagram or follow him on Twitter. I go out there and dominate. I go out there and win. So if the time comes with Josh, if he doesn’t move down before that, so be it, we’ll make it happen. But right now, today I’ll enjoy this victory. Monday, I’ll be back in the gym. I’ll wait for my next call and, hopefully, it’s [Madison Square Garden], and if it isn’t, we’ll be back before that.”
As for Hokit’s outspoken persona, Steveson didn’t offer much criticism, choosing instead to acknowledge Hokit’s effectiveness in building his brand. “He does a great job, good for him,” Steveson commented, signaling respect for the way Hokit handles his public presence even if their paths might cross later in the cage.
Beyond the Josh Hokit storyline, another heavyweight name looms large in Steveson’s orbit: Ciryl Gane, the current interim heavyweight champion. Gane earned the belt with a knockout of former two-division king Alex Pereira, highlighting the French fighter’s ongoing relevance in the division as undisputed champion Tom Aspinall works toward a comeback. Steveson recognizes the appeal of facing Gane but remains realistic about the timing. “Ciryl Gane’s a great fighter, a fantastic fighter. He’s one of my favorite fighters in the heavyweight division. Of course, he’s a target. He has something that a lot of people want, but today I’ll take my win, I’ll take my victory, and I’ll keep moving it slow. Ciryl Gane is in the foreseeable future, but he’s not in the next fight, and I’ll worry about the next fight and then after that, I’ll worry about the next one.”
In the short term, Steveson intends to ride the momentum of his recent triumph, stay in peak shape, and let the UFC matchmaking unfold. He’s already setting his sights on big stages and big names, signaling a fighter who plans to ascend quickly while choosing his moments carefully. For fans and observers, the next chapter in Steveson’s career will likely hinge on how swiftly he can translate his Olympic pedigree and raw power into a longer, more dominant winning streak inside the Octagon. If he continues to deliver the kind of performance he showcased at UFC 329, the ceiling appears high, and the potential opponents—from rising contenders like Hokit to established names like Gane—will be keen to test themselves against him in the near future.