Gable Steveson’s UFC warmup will continue next month in Mexico.
Steveson (2-0) will take on Hugo Lezama (11-3) at Mexico Fight League 3, which is set for Feb. 19 at ShowCenter in Monterrey, Mexico. The promotion announced the matchup Sunday. In its social media post, the MFL said Steveson is “the planet’s #1 heavyweight prospect.”
Advertisement
That claim is virtually universal at this point about the 25-year-old Steveson, is a two-time Dan Hodge Trophy winner and two-time NCAA Division-I wrestling champion at Minnesota as well as the 2020 Olympic gold medalist.
After wins in LFA, Dirty Boxing and Anthony Pettis FC, the UFC and CEO Dana White have expressed interest in Steveson, and now they’ll get another look at him before a potential signing.
Steveson has been lauded by UFC analyst Joe Rogan as the kind of fighter who could install a big burst of energy into the heavyweight division.
“There’s basically four or five guys on Earth who are in this championship-caliber class (at heavyweight), and (Steveson already is) there, which is nuts. You haven’t even fought in the UFC yet,” Rogan recently said.
Advertisement
Steveson made his pro MMA debut in September and knocked out Braden Peterson at LFA 217 in 98 seconds. He took a quick bout at Dirty Boxing Championship 4 in October and put away Billy Swanson in 15 seconds. At Anthony Pettis FC 21 in November, he knocked out Kevin Hein in 24 seconds.
The 37-year-old Lezama will be Steveson’s most accomplished opponent yet in MMA. He has nine of his 11 wins by stoppage.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Gable Steveson books next UFC heavyweight tryout fight in Mexico
