Gable Steveson wants UFC title ‘as fast as possible,’ but doesn’t want to rush

Gable Steveson is eager to pursue a UFC heavyweight title shot, but insists he won't rush the process to get there. The 26-year-old Olympic gold medalist in wrestling is one of MMA's most hyped prospects. After stints in football and professional wrestling, Steveson entered MMA in 2025 and made his UFC debut at UFC 329 with a first-round TKO of Elisha Ellison, immediately establishing himself as a legitimate threat at heavyweight.

When asked about his timeline for a title challenge, Steveson emphasized the importance of earning respect and accumulating octagon experience. "I would like to say as fast as possible, but I would like to get my reps in, make sure the people know I earned my respect, and earned my time in the octagon," he told reporters at a recent press conference. Working with Jon Jones and other mentors has accelerated his development, and Steveson credits this team for improving his progression faster than anticipated.

Steveson is methodically expanding his skillset with each fight, having already introduced kicks and knees in recent bouts, with plans to add more techniques down the line. He stressed that whether it takes four, five, six, or eight fights to earn a title opportunity doesn't matter—his focus is on building respect within the sport and competing at the highest level. "When that time comes to jump, which will be very soon, I'll jump," Steveson said.

Up next, Steveson faces Sean Sharaf at UFC 331 next month. He chose to take this fight quickly rather than wait for a headline slot at Madison Square Garden later in the year, preferring to stay active and gain consistent octagon time. Steveson expects to handle Sharaf, describing him as immobile and unable to defend takedowns, though he anticipates his opponent will bring maximum effort.