Olympic champion and highly touted UFC prospect Gable Steveson says his full focus is on making a statement in his octagon debut at UFC 329, even as talk swirls about potential future matchups.
Steveson is set to face Elisha Ellison on Saturday at UFC 329, entering the bout as possibly the biggest betting favorite in UFC history. He brings a 3-0 MMA record into his first UFC appearance and works under the guidance of UFC legend Jon Jones, one of his primary coaches and mentors.
“Of course, I’m eyeballing [them],” Steveson said, while making clear that his priority is the task at hand. “But my first task is to go out there Saturday night and put on a great performance and let everybody in this room know that I’m here.”
One name already linked to Steveson is fellow heavyweight Josh Hokit, an All-American wrestler turned MMA fighter who, like Steveson, trains primarily out of New Mexico under coach Greg Jackson. “Josh Hokit does what Josh Hokit does,” Steveson said. “What he’s doing is great for him. The character work is working for him. Applause for him making it work. If people like it, people like it. If people don’t, then who cares.”
Steveson added that he has no issue with a potential clash down the line, regardless of Hokit's plans. “It’s not tough for me to go against Josh Hokit,” he said. “It doesn’t matter to me. I come to show up and do the best thing that I can possibly ever do and that’s win and that’s all that matters to me.”
