Jon Jones is once again inserting himself into the future of mixed martial arts this time as a mentor. The former UFC heavyweight champion has been working closely with Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson, as the two-time NCAA Division I heavyweight champion continues his transition from elite amateur wrestling into mixed martial arts, with an eventual move to the UFC widely viewed as inevitable. That is, of course, assuming Steveson doesn’t lose interest along the way.
Jones recently appeared in a training video posted to Steveson’s Instagram. Showing the pair wrestling during a session that quickly drew attention across the MMA community. In the clip, Jones one of the most accomplished wrestlers the UFC has ever seen manages to secure a slick trip takedown on Steveson. It didn’t last long.
Steveson immediately scrambled and reversed position, ending up on top and reminding viewers exactly why he’s regarded as one of the most gifted heavyweight wrestlers of his generation. Still, Jones’ ability to even momentarily control an Olympic gold medalist speaks to his own grappling pedigree. Jones famously became the first fighter to consistently out-wrestle Daniel Cormier during their title clash at UFC 182.
“This weekend improvements were made,” Jones wrote on social media, accompanying the footage.
Critics Aren’t Convinced
Not everyone is sold on the pairing. Cormier, now a longtime UFC analyst, has publicly questioned whether training with Jones is the right move for Steveson, suggesting Jones could potentially “slow him down” rather than accelerate his development. Retired UFC heavyweight Brendan Schaub also raised eyebrows, warning that Jones’ well-documented off-cage reputation might not be the best influence on the 25-year-old wrestling phenom.
Despite the skepticism, Steveson appears unfazed and focused on gaining experience wherever he can especially from someone who understands the demands of championship-level MMA.
Next Stop: Mexico Fight League
Steveson (2-0) is scheduled to return to action on Feb. 19, when he faces Hugo “Pandemonium” Lezama (11-3) under the Mexico Fight League banner in Monterrey, Nuevo León. The bout represents another measured step in his MMA education. As he continues to blend elite wrestling with developing striking and cage awareness.
With Jon Jones in his corner literally and figuratively. Steveson’s MMA journey is quickly becoming one of the most closely watched transitions in combat sports.
Whether the mentorship accelerates his rise or simply adds another layer of intrigue. One thing is clear: when Jon Jones gets involved, attention inevitably follows.
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Robert LaMar is a writer for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @RobertLaMar26
