Gable Steveson said he intends to pursue the undisputed heavyweight title, a declaration that makes him a named contender as the division reorganises. The Olympic champion made a headline debut in the UFC this summer with a first-round knockout of Elisha Ellison in Las Vegas, and that finish has fuelled expectations that he could rise through the ranks quickly.
Steveson will fight again on Saturday in a bout promoted as a grudge match with Sean Sharaf, an opportunity to extend the momentum from his knockout. He serves as a 1win.com ambassador and has just four professional fights to his name, yet fans and some observers project a fast track through the heavyweight division and say he could be title-eligible as soon as next year.
The division’s sudden shuffle has increased the stakes. Tom Aspinall suffered another eye injury that requires a fourth surgery and was forced to relinquish the undisputed belt. That change has not yet been formalised, but it is expected to result in interim champion Ciryl Gane being elevated to undisputed champion, creating a focal point for challengers.
Steveson said he will be watching the outcome closely. "I think there are a lot of guys who are going to have an argument for it now," he said. "Obviously Josh wants it, Alex wants it, everybody wants that fight. But I think the UFC is going to have to make a decision based on who makes the most sense. Whoever gets it, I’m going to be watching, because that’s the belt I’m coming for."
He was clear about his timetable and how he expects to rise. "I think I’m closer than people probably realize. I’m still new, so I want my reps and I want to keep improving, but I’m not here to take five years to get there. I want that belt as fast as possible. I just want to make sure when I get the opportunity, everybody knows I earned it."
Steveson points to recent examples of rapid ascents in the heavyweight ranks, including Dana White’s Contender Series signees such as Josh Hokit who reached contention quickly, as part of the rationale for his confidence. His performance on Saturday will be the immediate test of that claim, and the UFC’s next matchmaking choices will determine how quickly his stated objective becomes a realistic path to a title shot.
