Could Gable Steveson become a UFC champion?

Former Olympic wrestlers like Daniel Cormier and Henry Cejudo transitioned to Hall of Fame UFC careers, which saw both become multi-division world champions. Currently, one of the greatest collegiate wrestlers of all time, Bo Nickal, is one of the hottest prospects in the sport.

Only 23 years old, Steveson has been training at the world-renowned MMA gym with Kill Cliff FC in Deerfield Beach, Florida. World-class fighters like Michael Chandler, Gilbert Burns and Robbie Lawler all train there full time, so he is learning from the best.

Steveson has been continuously compared to former Gophers wrestler and WWE superstar Brock Lesnar, who went on to become the UFC Heavyweight Champion, so the transition would not be unprecedented.

The sport has evolved since Lesnar's run to the title in 2008, so comparing their career trajectory would be unfair. Nickal, currently in the UFC, made his promotional debut after two amateur and only three pro fights at 27 years old.

Lesnar made his UFC debut at 30 years old after only one pro fight and fought for the Heavyweight Title after only three fights. Given how much the sport has grown, Steveson would likely have to gain experience at the regional level before even getting a chance to compete in the UFC.

His wrestling credentials alone, with an Olympic gold medal and two NCAA Division-I heavyweight national championships, would make him one of the greatest prospects the sport has ever seen. But everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face and Steveson has never competed in a professional fight.

With NFL opportunities also reportedly on the table, Steveson has a very unique situation, as he is still only 23 years old. A return to wrestling at the NCAA level is not off the table either. 

UFC fighters are only getting more skilled and some have been competing and training MMA since they were teenagers. Steveson has the skills and athleticism to quickly get to that level, but it probably won't happen overnight.