Gable Steveson made quick work of Billy Swanson on Thursday night at DBX 4, knocking his opponent out in the main event of the show just 15 seconds in.
The win, which moves the two-time NCAA Division I
champion and Olympic gold medalist to 2-0 in combat sports, was an impressive showing that confirmed what his first round knockout of Braden Peterson at LFA 217 in September suggested: this dude’s got hands. After a quick feeling out process, Steveson blitzed Swanson and hit him with a series of sharp crosses ending with a nice uppercut which dropped his opponent to the canvas (watch the highlights here).
Steveson has flirted with a move to MMA for years but now that he’s actually fighting he’s not looking to take things slow. He made a plea to UFC matchmaker Mick Maynard, who was in Tennessee to watch the prospect compete.
“I think a special guest was here to kinda watch me, but I’m just not sure where he is,” Steveson told Jason Anik in the DBX ring after his win. “His name is Mick Maynard with the UFC. And he’s right there. So Mick, you’ve seen a little bit. I would love to show a lot more. And hopefully you believe in me and I appreciate you.”
The request may be a bit premature: while Swanson is a Bellator, PFL, and BKFC veteran, he’s 0-1 in all three organizations and this loss marks his fifth defeat in a row. It’s a solid win for a man who’s competing in the second fight of his career, but not something that would normally earn you a spot in the UFC.
That being said, Steveson is one of the biggest names in amateur wrestling and his addition to the UFC’s anemic heavyweight division would provide a lot of attention for the promotion at a time where there’s few good things to say about the weight class. Three-time NCAA Division I champion Bo Nickal was welcomed into the UFC (via Dana White’s Contender Series) after just one pro MMA win, so why not Steveson?
