Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson extended his unbeaten professional run Thursday with a first-round TKO over Hugo Lezama in the main event of Mexico Fight League 3 in Monterrey, Mexico. Steveson, 25, ended the fight at 3:50 of Round 1 after repeatedly taking the 37-year-old Lezama to the mat and finishing with heavy ground strikes. The victory improved Steveson’s pro MMA record to 3-0 and continued a streak of rapid finishes that began in 2025. The bout was Steveson’s first appearance of 2026.
- Result: Gable Steveson defeated Hugo Lezama via TKO (punches) at 3:50 of Round 1 in Monterrey, Mexico.
- Records: Steveson is now 3-0 as a professional MMA fighter; Lezama entered at 11-3 and is a 37-year-old veteran.
- Fight pattern: Steveson used repeated takedowns and controlled top position, choosing measured offense over nonstop pressure.
- Earlier 2025 run: Steveson scored three quick stoppages across promotions — a September LFA debut, a 15-second Dirty Boxing knockout in October and a 24-second KO at Pettis FC 21 in November.
- UFC interest: Steveson has discussed his UFC goals publicly, has had talks with matchmakers and remains a noted target for the promotion pending further pro experience.
Background
Gable Steveson first drew global attention as a freestyle wrestler, winning Olympic gold at the 2020 Games at age 21 and later earning two NCAA Division I titles and two Dan Hodge Trophies. After short stints with the NFL’s Buffalo Bills and a period training with WWE, Steveson began a focused transition into mixed martial arts in 2025. His move into MMA was rapid: a pro debut in September under LFA followed by appearances across smaller promotions that produced highlight stoppages in successive months. That streak helped build the narrative that the 25-year-old is the top heavyweight prospect outside the UFC.
Hugo Lezama arrived in Monterrey as an experienced Mexican veteran with an 11-year career and an 11-3 record. At 37, Lezama had won four of his last six fights entering the matchup and brought a varied, unconventional striking style that had troubled some opponents. Mexico Fight League 3 was staged to showcase regional talent alongside rising international names, and promoters booked the Steveson bout as the card’s keystone attraction. The matchup therefore carried both local interest and broader curiosity over how a decorated wrestler would handle a seasoned, unconventional striker.
Main Event
The fight began with Steveson pressing for control, repeatedly taking Lezama to the canvas with textbook entries and maintaining dominant top position. Unlike some earlier showings where he swarmed opponents, Steveson displayed more restraint, allowing Lezama to stand at times and picking moments to pull the fight back to the mat. Lezama at one point landed a spinning wheel kick that tested Steveson’s chin, but the sequence ended with Lezama back on his back under heavy top strikes. The referee halted the contest at 3:50 of Round 1 after Steveson’s ground-and-pound opened a cut and rendered Lezama unable to continue.
Steveson’s corner work and fight IQ were visible: he mixed control wrestling with well-timed ground strikes rather than committing to an endless barrage, and he repeatedly permitted stand-ups when the referee required them, then reasserted control. Post-fight, Steveson credited Lezama’s toughness and acknowledged areas for improvement, underscoring a developmental mindset despite the quick finish. Lezama, meanwhile, left with signs of damage to his face and a loss that halts a recent run of mostly positive results.
The card featured several other finishes: Edgar Escarrega won by triangle choke in Round 3, Alexandro Bravo and Emanuel Arzola took unanimous decisions in their divisions, and multiple preliminary fights ended by TKO or decision, underscoring the promotion’s mix of local talent and rising prospects.
Analysis & Implications
Steveson’s win deepens the conversation about whether and when the UFC should sign him. He now has three professional MMA victories, all in early finishes, and a high-profile wrestling résumé that makes him attractive to major promotions. The key question for talent evaluators will be how Steveson performs as opponents increase in technical variety and durability; measured progress against experienced strikers and rounded fighters will be the clearest indicator of readiness for the UFC roster.
From a commercial standpoint, Steveson’s rapid ascent — Olympic gold, NCAA dominance, short stints in other pro sports and now an unblemished start in MMA — creates marketable crossover appeal. If the UFC moves quickly to sign him, that could accelerate heavyweight matchmaking decisions and promotional priorities, but it also risks pushing a still-inexperienced pro into mismatches. The safer path for both fighter and promotion is staged matchmaking that tests defensive striking, cardio over multiple rounds and sustained grappling exchanges.
For Mexico Fight League, hosting Steveson brought international attention to a regional card, a boon for promoters and local fighters. The event’s visibility may increase scouting and sponsorship interest in the Mexican fight scene, and other promotions will likely monitor Steveson’s trajectory as an indicator of how crossover stars can be leveraged in smaller shows to draw global viewers.
| Event | Month/Date | Opponent | Result | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mexico Fight League 3 (Main) | Thursday (2026) | Hugo Lezama | TKO (punches) | R1 3:50 |
| LFA (Pro debut) | September 2025 | Braden Petersen | First-round stoppage | R1 (time not listed) |
| Dirty Boxing (Mike Perry promotion) | October 2025 | Billy Swanson | KO | 0:15 |
| Anthony Pettis FC 21 | Late November 2025 | Kevin Hein | KO | 0:24 |
The table shows Steveson’s cadence of finishes across four appearances since his pro debut. While the stop times and opponents vary by promotion and level, the pattern of early endings is consistent and has fueled interest from larger organizations. Evaluators will seek evidence of sustained performance across longer fights and against well-rounded, durable opponents before recommending top-tier matchups.
Reactions & Quotes
Steveson spoke modestly after the win, acknowledging the opponent and noting that he still sees room to improve. He emphasized incremental progress rather than claiming readiness for immediate top-level fights.
I feel great. A lot of things to get better on, but I’m getting better each day.
Gable Steveson
UFC leadership has publicly expressed interest in Steveson as he gains professional experience, but officials have also indicated that a signing would depend on further development. Dana White has said the fighter is ‘on the radar’ and that the promotion is watching his progress, signaling genuine interest without guaranteeing an imminent contract.
He’s on the radar, big time.
UFC CEO Dana White
MMA observers and matchmakers are weighing the business upside against competitive readiness, urging careful matchmaking that tests both striking defense and cardio. Trainers and former champions who have worked with Steveson note that wrestling pedigree is an advantage, but a full transition to elite MMA requires time and exposure to diverse skill sets.
Unconfirmed
- Whether Steveson will sign a UFC contract imminently is not confirmed; discussions have been reported but no official deal has been announced.
- The specific timeline or opponent for any potential UFC debut remains speculative; a June White House card appearance has been described by Steveson as an ideal scenario but not finalized.
- Any arrangement for Jon Jones to corner or co-headline future events with Steveson is unverified beyond public associations and mentorship reports.
Bottom Line
Gable Steveson’s TKO of Hugo Lezama in Monterrey continued a string of emphatic, early professional victories and reinforced his status as a leading heavyweight prospect. The win preserves an unblemished 3-0 record and keeps the spotlight on his potential path to the UFC, but it does not by itself resolve questions about readiness for elite competition. Matching Steveson against increasingly durable, well-rounded opponents while managing promotional timing will be critical to both his development and the UFC’s decision-making.
For Mexico Fight League, the event was a successful showcase that elevated the promotion’s profile and provided local fighters with heightened exposure. Fans and evaluators should watch Steveson’s next steps closely: his career trajectory will be shaped as much by matchmaking and continued skill development as by headline finishes.
Sources
- Yahoo Sports — Sports news report with event results and post-fight comments (media).
- Uncrowned — Interview coverage referenced by the fighter about UFC discussions (media/interview).