Jon Jones has taken Gable Steveson under his wing, providing the guidance that his late brother Arthur once gave him. Earlier this year, the Minnesota native left his wrestling career to pursue MMA, aiming to join the UFC directly rather than through TUF or DWCS. Branching into all areas of combat sports, Steveson made a statement last month in his MMA debut under the LFA banner, brutally finishing Brendan Peterson and sending a clear warning to the heavyweight division.

Building on that momentum, Gable Steveson last night entered the Dirty Boxing promotion at DBX 4 in Tennessee, co-owned by Jon Jones. Despite his wrestling roots, the NCAA star demonstrated impressive striking, knocking out former Bellator fighter Billy Swanson in just 15 seconds, further bolstering his record. Yet what truly captured the fans’ hearts was that, in the moments following his victory, the rising MMA star paid a heartfelt tribute, keeping the memory of Arthur Jones alive.

Gable Steveson honors Jon Jones’ brother Arthur Jones at DBX 4

It has been a few difficult weeks for Jon Jones and his family. Less than a month ago, he lost his elder brother, Arthur Jones, a former NFL star, to cardiac arrest, leaving a deep void. Since then, ‘Bones’ has remained out of the public eye. Last night, however, he returned to support his friend and protégé Gable Steveson, who made the moment unforgettable for him. The victory took on even greater significance with Steveson’s heartfelt tribute to Jon’s late brother.

After his knockout, Gable Steveson performed Arthur’s signature “sack dance” celebration, paying tribute to both the Jones family and Jon, who shared a deep bond with his brother. He recently shared the clip from Fullsend MMA on his Instagram story, which also featured UFC legends recalling how Arthur used to make his presence felt in the field. Arthur was not only a brother but also a mentor, shaping Jon into one of the toughest fighters in combat sports.

Following a period away from the spotlight, Jon Jones is now ready to embrace life again, dedicating time to family and friends. At the same time, he is eyeing a return to the Octagon. Not long ago, the UFC legend retired without putting his title on the line, but the organization is now working to bring him back into the testing pool. Alongside his own plans, ‘Bones’ remains committed to guiding and pushing his friend Gable Steveson in his MMA journey.

Jon Jones plays a key role in Steveson’s entry to DBX

Gable Steveson’s journey has taken him from wrestling to the NFL, then WWE, back to wrestling, onto MMA, and now into Dirty Boxing with customized rules. He first gained attention last year by assisting Jon Jones with his ground game during his heavyweight title defense prep against Stipe Miocic, showcasing the skill and class of an elite wrestler. However, Steveson’s NCAA wrestling career faced a setback when he was defeated by Wyatt Hendrickson at the NCAA wrestling championships in a shocking upset earlier this year.

Following that, Gable Steveson decided to follow Jon Jones’ path into MMA, a move many considered a natural progression for the 25-year-old. He initially indicated he was in talks with UFC CEO Dana White and made his MMA debut last month with a victory in an LFA event, prompting expectations of a quick return for another MMA bout. Yet, his announcement to compete in Dirty Boxing came as a surprise to many.

When asked about his intention to compete in Dirty Boxing, Gable Steveson told MMA Fighting, “That’s a question that needs to be answered, and I’m ready to answer it. I would not sign up for Dirty Boxing 4 if I wasn’t ready, and if my coach-some people know his name, Jon Jones-didn’t say I’m ready. We’re ready to take on that challenge. So on October 30, we’re going to show the world that I can stand on the feet, I can be the guy, and I can take a guy down too. I can do both. That’s why I’m so excited about this.”

With Jon Jones guiding Gable Steveson, can the former heavyweight champion help the NCAA star reach the same heights his late brother, Arthur Jones, once helped him achieve? Only time will tell.