The MMA world is buzzing after an unexpected announcement from Jon Jones, but not in the way fans might have imagined. While many expected some serious updates on Jones’ future comeback to the Octagon and possibly at the White House stage, he instead announced a surprising new focus: coaching. And his chosen protégé, Olympic wrestling gold medalist and budding MMA star Gable Steveson.

Well, this is definitely not what we had in our 2025 bucket list. When ‘Bones’ announced the decision to backtrack on his retirement, many saw a fight against Tom Aspinall coming soon. But now, this new move has left fans divided. Some are hailing it as a masterstroke, while others are doubting Jones’ motives.

But reactions really exploded when followers began unpacking what this could mean for the heavyweight division and, more specifically, Tom Aspinall. Some fans instantly focused on the strategy behind Jones’ decision. “Training other guys to beat Tom cuz he knows he can’t do it himself 😂,” one comment read. Another added, “Chess move of the century. Coach a champ to take out his too young enemy; that’s king-level chess.”

The humor was echoed across social media, with fans speculating that Jon Jones was avoiding a fight against the Briton to escape a loss but is instead focusing on training Gable to do the dirty work for him. “Ok, so you won’t fight Tom, but you’ll train someone else to fight Tom?” captured the skepticism perfectly.

Others speculated about what ‘Bones’ might be teaching Steveson behind the scenes, considering his own history of innovative and often controversial fight tactics. Comments varied from fun to borderline concerned: “Go for the eye poke!” and “eye pokes and hyper-extend the knees” were just a few digs at the famed fighter’s tendency to break rules when necessary. “He’s gonna teach them how to cheat the right way,” summed up the blend of awe and wariness fans feel about Jones’ influence.

Amid the jokes and controversy, many MMA fans showed real enthusiasm for Steveson’s growth under Jones. “Low-key great move for Gable” and “This is actually lit! 🙌🔥” were typical reactions, while some framed the situation with a dramatic flair: “When the final boss becomes the one training the next villains” and “Jones greatest IQ in the game 🔥.”

With his Olympic background and explosive MMA debut, Gable Steveson has the ability to grow significantly under Jones’ guidance. Steveson’s journey has already taken him from Olympic success to WWE and NFL detours before committing to MMA in 2024. With Jon Jones now totally committed to coaching, the 25-year-old heavyweight faces his most difficult challenge yet. But before he reaches the UFC’s heavyweight class, there is a little detour ahead.

Gable Steveson has a non-MMA fight lined up

Even having Jon Jones in his corner, Gable Steveson isn’t rushing into the UFC. Fans expected a quick rise up the MMA rankings following his dominant first-round TKO at LFA 217, but the Olympic gold medalist has decided to take a small detour before entering the Octagon. Steveson is now booked to headline Dirty Boxing 4 on October 30, facing former Bellator and PFL fighter Billy Swanson.

Swanson, also known as ‘Big Sexy,’ has struggled recently, losing four straight knockouts, including a TKO setback in his BKFC debut last month. While it is not a typical MMA contest, the clash presents a unique opportunity for Steveson to show his wrestling abilities and overall fighting skills in a new competitive atmosphere.

The event, taking place at The Pinnacle in Nashville, Tennessee, will be co-owned by none other than ‘Bones,’ who will also be hosting a meet-and-greet alongside watching his 25-year-old in action. Dirty Boxing’s hybrid format, which combines hand-to-hand combat with limited ground and pound, provides Gable Steveson with a platform to hone his instincts and gain experience in front of an audience before making his long-awaited UFC debut. One thing is for sure: fans will be watching intently to see how this unique detour affects the future heavyweight contender.