JRE MMA Show #172 with Gable Steveson - The Joe Rogan Experience Recap
Podcast: The Joe Rogan Experience
Published: 2026-01-01
Duration: 2 hr 22 min
Guests: Gable Steveson
Summary
Gable Steveson, an Olympic gold medalist and emerging MMA fighter, shares insights into his wrestling career and transition into MMA, while discussing the challenges and opportunities in combat sports.
What Happened
Gable Steveson shares the origin of his name, inspired by wrestling legend Dan Gable, highlighting the significance of wrestling in his life. Despite wrestling's lack of a professional outlet, Steveson discusses the efforts of American Freestyle (RAF) to create a platform for wrestlers to excel professionally. He also recounts his brief stint in professional football with the Buffalo Bills, revealing his mother's apprehension about his involvement in contact sports.
Steveson's venture into MMA is marked by his rapid development in striking, which he's been focusing on for about seven months. He credits his decision to pursue MMA to training with Jon Jones, whom he praises for his fight IQ and meticulous game planning. Steveson expresses his ambitions in the UFC heavyweight division, pointing out the shallow talent pool and his potential to make a significant impact.
The conversation touches on the differences in wrestling capabilities among international heavyweights, notably Russian and Iranian wrestlers, with Steveson aspiring to compete again in the 2028 Olympics. He emphasizes the importance of wrestling as a foundation for MMA, although he is also keen to showcase his striking skills.
Steveson discusses the importance of maintaining a focused coaching team and rigorous training routine, which involves multiple disciplines to prepare for MMA. He trains at Jackson Wink in New Mexico, highlighting his commitment to excellence and continuous improvement.
Joe Rogan and Steveson explore the broader combat sports landscape, discussing the UFC's prestige compared to boxing and the potential collaboration between the UFC and Saudi Arabia to launch a new boxing promotion. They also touch on the complexities of fame in sports and the importance of focusing on excellence rather than external validation.
The episode delves into various anecdotes and insights, including Yoel Romero's late start in the UFC, Aljamain Sterling's formidable back control, and Islam Makhachev's superior stand-up skills. Steveson also shares his personal life, expecting a baby girl and balancing his career with family commitments.
Key Insights
- American Freestyle (RAF) is working on creating a professional platform for wrestlers, addressing the lack of professional outlets in the sport.
- Gable Steveson has been training in mixed martial arts for seven months, focusing on striking, and aims to compete in the UFC heavyweight division due to its shallow talent pool.
- Steveson trains at Jackson Wink MMA Academy in New Mexico, emphasizing a rigorous and multi-disciplinary training routine to prepare for his MMA career.
- The UFC is exploring a potential collaboration with Saudi Arabia to launch a new boxing promotion, indicating a possible expansion of its combat sports influence.