Gable Steveson, the Olympic wrestling gold medalist who has for days teased his fans with the hopes of an MMA appearance, took the heat up a notch by sharing a simple yet powerful Instagram story on April 15, 2025. As a former NCAA champion and one of wrestling’s brightest stars, Steveson’s every move is watched closely by fans eager to see his next step. His latest post, a shoutout to a UFC contender, has fans buzzing about the crossover potential between wrestling and MMA. What’s behind this unexpected gesture from the 24-year-old phenom?

Taking to Instagram, Steveson posted a story with a concise five-word message: “Good luck in your next fight,<fist emoji>” tagged directly to Merab Dvalishvili. It was not just a story, the note was a nod to Dvalishvili’s upcoming bantamweight title clash against Sean O’Malley at UFC 316, set for Sun, Jun 8, GMT+5:30 at Prudential Center, Newark, United States. Steveson’s wrestling pedigree—gold at Tokyo 2020 and 2021, 2022 NCAA titles—lends weight to his words, signaling support for a fighter who’s mastered the art of grappling in the octagon. Why does this message resonate so deeply with the UFC faithful?

And it’s not the first time the two have conversed together. Recently, in a promo shoot, both were seen at a beach, showing off their grappling skills. Merab proved size doesn’t matter in a playful beach wrestling clash with Gable. The UFC’s ‘Machine’ nearly scored a takedown before the Olympic gold medalist used his strength to counter—just another chapter in their fun rivalry.

Merab Dvalishvili, the No. 1 bantamweight contender, is riding a 10-fight win streak, including victories over Petr Yan and Henry Cejudo and Umar Nurmagomedov in title defense. Known for his relentless pace and suffocating wrestling, the Georgian star is heading for his rematch with Sean O’Malley after a razor-close unanimous decision in their first meeting on September 14, 2024, at UFC 306.

Steveson’s message isn’t just a casual cheer; it’s a testament to the tight-knit wrestling community in MMA. Both men share a love for the grind—Steveson’s freestyle dominance mirrors Dvalishvili’s ability to wear down foes. With O’Malley’s sniper-like striking looming, Dvalishvili’s ground game will be key. Could Steveson’s endorsement hint at his octagon ambitions? What’s Steveson himself preparing for?

As Gable Steveson wishes others well, he is gearing up for a big fight

As Gable Steveson cheers on Merab Dvalishvili with a heartfelt “Good luck ”, the Olympic gold medalist is no stranger to the grind of combat sports. But what’s next for the champ who’s lifting others up?

Gable is gearing up for a massive showdown, stepping into the grappling pit against BJJ star Craig Jones at the Craig Jones Invitational 2 (CJI 2) on August 31, 2025, at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. Coming off a shocking NCAA finals loss to Wyatt Hendrickson in March 2025, the 24-year-old wrestling titan is diving headfirst into submission grappling, a bold pivot from his freestyle roots.

Steveson, who won Olympic gold in freestyle wrestling at Tokyo 2020 at just 21, brings unmatched athleticism, evidenced by his 73-match collegiate win streak before the 5-4 upset. Facing Jones, a two-time ADCC silver medalist and BJJ black belt, Steveson confronts a new challenge: a submission-only ruleset in a walled “pit” designed to force action.

Jones, 33, known for slick heel hooks, outweighs Steveson’s experience in BJJ, competing at 88kg and 99kg (middle-heavyweight class) versus Steveson’s 120kg wrestling frame. While Steveson’s training clips reveal drills to shore up his guard-passing and submission defense. The size gap favors Gable, but Jones’s technical edge, honed, makes this a clash of raw power against BJJ finesse. With CJI 2’s Quintet-style team event as the backdrop, this superfight could steal the show. Can Gable adapt his Olympic pedigree to conquer Jones’s submission game?