Gable Steveson’s pursuit of his UFC dreams continued Thursday in Mexico.
(Jay LaPrete/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
Gable Steveson kicked off 2026 by picking up right where he left off in 2025. Widely considered to be the No. 1 prospect in heavyweight MMA, Steveson dominated Hugo Lezama en route to another first-round stoppage victory Thursday in the main event of Mexico Fight League 3 in Monterrey, Mexico.
An Olympic champion wrestler, Steveson (3-0) dragged Lezama (11-3) to the mat several times but showcased a more patient effort against the Mexican veteran than in his prior bouts, repeatedly letting Lezama up from the floor and picking his shots rather than swarming with offense.
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Lezama — fighting with an awkward, drunken-master-esque style — even tested Steveson’s chin with a stiff spinning wheel kick in their final stand-up exchange, before swiftly finding himself once again on his back and getting bloodied up with big ground-and-pound.
In the end, Steveson secured the TKO finish at the 3:50 mark of Round 1.
“I feel great. A lot of things to get better on, but I’m getting better each day,” Steveson said post-fight.
“[It was a] tough fight, the guy didn’t give up. A great competitor. I’m glad he stepped in.”
Thursday’s bout marked Stevenson first appearance of 2026 after ending this past year on a torrid pace that saw him pick up three knockout wins in as many months across multiple combat sports disciplines. The 25-year-old big man made his pro MMA debut in September with a highlight-reel first-round stoppage of Braden Petersen under the LFA banner, then transitioned over to Mike Perry’s Dirty Boxing promotion for another impressive 15-second knockout of Billy Swanson in October. Steveson capped off his 2025 with a brutal 24-second knockout of Kevin Hein at Anthony Pettis FC 21 in late November.
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Lezama, 37, is an 11-year veteran who had won four of his past six bouts prior to Thursday night.
Steveson has not been shy to voice his desire to one day fight in the UFC. He told Uncrowned in November that he has spoken to UFC matchmaker Mick Maynard and that his “perfect world” scenario is to make his Octagon debut on the promotion’s planned White House card in June alongside his coach and mentor, UFC legend Jon Jones. UFC CEO Dana White subsequently confirmed that Steveson is “on the radar, big time” for the UFC and the promotion is “very much” interested in signing the Olympic champ to a deal once Steveson gains enough experience.
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Along with being a two-time NCAA Division I national champion and two-time Dan Hodge Trophy winner — the award given annually to collegiate athletics’ top freestyle wrestler — Steveson is best known for his run through the 2020 Olympic Games, where he stunned the global field at just 21 years old to become the youngest freestyle wrestler in his division to ever win gold.
Steveson also had brief stints with the NFL’s Buffalo Bills and WWE before making the full-time transition to MMA in 2025, where he’s benefitted from the tutelage of former two-division UFC champion Jones.
Full Mexico Fight League 3 results can be seen below.
Main card
Heavyweight: Gable Steveson def. Hugo Lezama via TKO (punches) at 3:50 of R1
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Welterweight: Edgar Escarrega def. Irving Cardona via submission (triangle choke) at 1:17 of R3
Bantamweight: Alexandro Bravo def. Luis Solorzano via unanimous decision
Bantamweight: Matias Molero def. Ricardo Hurtado via TKO (strikes) at 4:26 of R1
Lightweight: Emanuel Arzola def. Gael Resendiz via unanimous decision
Preliminary card
Heavyweight: Renzo Aldave def. Hector Negroe via TKO (injury) at :57 of R1
Bantamweight: Omar Diaz def. Luis Piñango via TKO (punches) at 4:26 of R1
Catchweight: Jharely Reyes def. Carolina Rojas via unanimous decision
Welterweight: Kevin Arreola def. Kevin Villareal via TKO (punches) at 2:29 of R1
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Flyweight: Kevin Rodriguez def. Roberto Morales via unanimous decision
