Olympic champion Gable Stevenson often is the hottest prospect to ever be a part of the UFC roster, however even earlier than his debut, he was being requested about the potential of a title struggle within the close to future.
Contemplating his lengthy record of honors in wrestling, plus counting UFC legend Jon Jones as one among his main coaches and mentors, it is exhausting to argue with Stevenson’s potential as a future contender and doable heavyweight champion. In reality, Stevenson admits he is conserving an in depth eye on the division, which incorporates names like Cyril Gane, Tom Aspinall and Josh Hokit, in preparation for his Octagon debut at UFC 329.
“Clearly I’m keeping track of (them),” Stevenson mentioned throughout UFC 329 media day. “However my first job is to exit on Saturday evening and placed on a terrific efficiency and let everybody on this room know that I’m right here.”
Hokitt is without doubt one of the names that comes up usually together with Stevenson on account of his personal wrestling background, the place he was an All-American at Fresno State earlier than turning to soccer and ultimately MMA. Just lately, Hokit has grow to be one of the vital talked about fighters in the entire UFC, not solely on account of his spectacular rise to the heavyweight ranks, but additionally on account of his outlandish and infrequently weird conduct each out and in of the cage.
Including gas to the hearth is the truth that Stevenson shares among the identical coaches as Hokit, with each gamers coaching primarily in New Mexico. Notably, Steveson and Hokit rely Greg Jackson as a key voice of their preparation for the sport, however the Minnesota native and two-time NCAA champion would not actually see that as a battle of curiosity for them.
“Josh Hokitt does what Josh Hokitt does,” Stevenson mentioned. “What he is doing is nice for him. The character work is working nicely for him. I applaud him for making it work. If individuals prefer it, individuals will prefer it. If individuals do not, who cares? He’ll prefer it.”
“We have been in the identical room so much. Josh does a terrific job of what Josh does. Good for him.”
As for the potential of the 2 going through off in some unspecified time in the future sooner or later, Steveson would not draw back from the potential of going through Hokit.
Ideally, although, Stevenson will proceed to concentrate on being the very best of the very best at heavyweight, and Hokitt feels he is likely to be higher off contemplating a transfer to gentle heavyweight for his future within the UFC.
“It is not tough for me to play in opposition to Josh Hokit,” Stevenson mentioned. “I actually heard from somebody that Josh Hokit goes to drop weight to 205 (kilos). If he drops weight, it might be a terrific resolution for him in the long term.”
Earlier than going through Hokit or some other fighter within the division, Steveson should first get previous Elisha Ellison on Saturday, the place he enters the bout as maybe the most important betting favourite in UFC historical past.
Having only a 3-0 report in MMA already has a whole lot of confidence in Stevenson, which says so much about what’s in retailer for him going ahead, however he is simply able to get to work and ensure he can show why there’s a lot hype round him earlier than he throws any punches within the UFC.
“It would not matter to me,” Stevenson mentioned. “I got here to compete and do the very best I can. That is successful and that is all that issues to me.”
