“I want to be a UFC star. I want to be a champion.” On the Overdogs podcast in May, Gable Steveson made his dream crystal clear. The former NCAA wrestling standout and 2020 Tokyo Olympic gold medalist has always seen MMA as a natural next step, and many believe he could be a real force inside the cage, especially in the heavyweight division, where accomplished wrestlers are few and far between. To chase that goal, Steveson has already booked his debut fight against Braden Peterson at LFA 217 on September 12. Still, skepticism continues to follow him. 

Fans have begun to question whether Gable can shine in MMA the same way he dominated wrestling. Some are even going a step further, wondering if he’s truly suited for the UFC. Adding to the doubts during an exclusive interview with ES, highly regarded NCAA prospect Tahir Parkins has also voiced doubts about whether the 25-year-old can make the leap, offering a reality check for the former wrestling star. 

Tahir Parkins isn’t too sure of Gable Steveson’s success in the UFC

In a conversation with Andrew Whitelaw on the EssentiallySports YouTube channel, Parkins weighed in with his thoughts on Steveson’s future in MMA. “He’s a freak athlete, I’ll give him that. But like I said, MMA is a whole different world of combat sports. It’s a mix of everything. Do I think he would do well with the right training? 100%. Just because of the way he’s built as an athlete. But it’s hard to say, especially at heavyweight. You know, everyone has power. Get clipped once, and you can go down. Still, I do think with the right training, which I believe he’d commit to, and with the right team and setup, he can perform in the UFC,” Parkins explained.

Parkins is certainly right to raise concerns about Gable Steveson stepping into the cage for the first time. Wrestling may be a strong foundation for MMA, but mastering the sport demands a well-rounded skill set. Striking is often the first major hurdle for wrestlers to overcome, followed by disciplines like Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, tailor-made for mixed martial arts. This can give a well-trained opponent a decisive edge.

But it’s also true that Steveson has a team of experts around him and plenty of connections to help shape him into a successful martial artist in the long run. On top of that, he has a good relationship with former UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones. The two have built a friendly bond, and Steveson has even appeared at one of Jones’ DBX events. Now, as he prepares for LFA 217, the NCAA star already seems to have his sights set on the biggest name in the UFC heavyweight division. 

Former NCAA champ wants to fight Tom Aspinall

Currently, Tom Aspinall holds the UFC heavyweight throne following Jon Jones’ retirement. To keep the division moving, the Brit is set to defend his title against Ciryl Gane at UFC 321 on October 25. While Aspinall is favored to win the matchup, fans are already dreaming of a potential showdown with Jones at the highly anticipated White House event. But, a few months ago, Gable Steveson openly expressed his desire to step into that very matchup in place of ‘Bones’.

In an interview with Mike Perry’s Overdogs Podcast in May, the former wrestler said, “When Jon finally hangs it up, the next best guy is Tom Aspinall. Someone’s gotta take that off his shoulder. You always wanna go against the Tom Aspinalls, you always wanna go against the Ganes, you wanna go against the Volkovs, you wanna go against the Sergeis, and you wanna put on your best performance, but honestly, it doesn’t matter.”  

Steveson’s dreams are undeniably ambitious, but only time will tell whether he’s truly taking the right steps. His upcoming LFA fight against Braden Peterson tomorrow will be the first real test. If the 25-year-old delivers a statement performance, Dana White might waste no time giving him a shot at the Contender Series! Or perhaps even slotting him directly onto the main card of a major UFC event.

That said, what do you think? Is Gable Steveson ready to embrace MMA as his next big career move, or should he have waited a little longer? Share your thoughts in the comments below!