Former WWE developmental talent and Olympic Gold Medalist Gable Steveson is making the move to MMA. The Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA) has announced that Steveson will make his professional MMA debut at their LFA 217 event on September 12.
Gable Steveson’s LFA Debut
The event will take place at the Mystic Lake Casino Hotel in Prior Lake, Minnesota, and will stream live on UFC Fight Pass. Steveson is scheduled to face Braden Peterson in his first professional fight. In the past, Steveson has expressed interest in an MMA career and has been seen training with former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones.
Gable Steveson’s Post-WWE Journey
Steveson’s move to MMA is the latest chapter in his post-WWE journey. After winning a gold medal in freestyle wrestling at the 2020 Olympics, he signed with WWE in 2021. His in-ring debut for the company came at the 2023 NXT Great American Bash, where he wrestled Baron Corbin to a no-contest. He was later released from his WWE contract.
Since his WWE release, Steveson was briefly signed by the NFL’s Buffalo Bills but did not make the team’s practice squad. He also returned to amateur wrestling for this year’s NCAA tournament, where he made it to the finals. More information on the LFA 217 event can be found on the LFA’s social media accounts.
Gable Steveson 🥇@gablesteveson1
Get your tickets: https://t.co/luT3VSzle0#LFA217 Takes place Friday, September 12th at the @MysticLake Casino Hotel in #PriorLake #Minnesota
📲 @UFCFightPass #LFAPriorLake #LFA217 pic.twitter.com/n2PowPBcvw
— LFA (@LFAfighting) August 19, 2025
