Gable Dan Steveson was born on May 31, 2000, in Portage, Indiana. His mother, Laticia Steveson, named him after Olympic wrestling legend Dan Gable. The youngest of three sons born to Robert and Laticia, Gable grew up alongside his older brothers, Bobby and John, who also competed in youth wrestling.
Steveson began wrestling almost as soon as he could walk, frequently training with his brothers in a family deeply immersed in the sport. Around the seventh grade, the Stevesons relocated to Apple Valley, Minnesota, where Gable later attended Apple Valley High School.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Name | Gable Dan Steveson |
| Birthday | May 31, 2000 |
| Birthplace | Portage, Indiana, United States |
| College Career | University of Minnesota Golden Gophers heavyweight wrestler |
| Collegiate Record | 103–3 career record with a .972 winning percentage |
| NCAA Titles | Two-time NCAA Division I heavyweight champion (2021 and 2022) |
| Dan Hodge Trophy | Two-time winner of the prestigious collegiate wrestling award |
| Olympic Success | Gold medalist in men’s freestyle 125 kg at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics |
| WWE Tenure | Signed the first-ever NIL contract in 2021 and wrestled in NXT |
| NFL Experience | Undrafted free agent defensive lineman for the Buffalo Bills in 2024 |
| Real American Freestyle | Competed in Hulk Hogan’s RAF unscripted professional freestyle league |
| MMA Record | Undefeated professional mixed martial arts record featuring first-round knockouts |
| UFC Career | Signed with the UFC, securing a first-round TKO debut victory at UFC 329 |
| Training Camp | Trained in mixed martial arts alongside former UFC champion Jon Jones |
| Net Worth | Private figure based entirely on unofficial estimates from sports contracts and sponsorships |
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NCAA Dominance and Olympic Gold with the Minnesota Gophers
Gable Steveson compiled a 103–3 career record (a .972 winning percentage) as a heavyweight wrestler for the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers, finishing his collegiate career with the highest winning percentage in the program’s history. Steveson is Minnesota’s only wrestler to earn five All-American honors, placing in the top three at the NCAA championships each season.
He captured consecutive NCAA Division I heavyweight titles in 2021 and 2022. He also won the Dan Hodge Trophy—the collegiate wrestling equivalent of the Heisman—twice, becoming the first heavyweight to achieve the feat. During his college career, he secured four Big Ten Conference championships, setting another heavyweight program record, and maintained a 70-match unbeaten streak.
Internationally, Steveson won Olympic gold for the United States. At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (held in 2021), he secured a dramatic, last-second victory to win the men’s freestyle 125 kg championship, making him the youngest wrestler to claim the super-heavyweight title.
Transition to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE)
In the fall of 2021, while finishing his collegiate eligibility, Steveson signed a multi-year name, image, and likeness (NIL) contract with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). The agreement allowed him to complete his senior season at Minnesota while simultaneously beginning professional wrestling training. WWE arranged a local training setup near Minnesota and granted Steveson access to its Performance Center in Orlando, Florida. Following his graduation in the spring of 2022, he joined WWE full-time as a developmental talent.
Steveson was primarily assigned to NXT, WWE’s developmental brand. Promoted heavily as an Olympic gold medalist transitioning into professional wrestling, he made his televised in-ring debut against veteran Baron Corbin at the NXT Great American Bash in mid-2023. However, after training under WWE coaches and appearing at various live events, Steveson was released from his contract in mid-2024.
Brief Stint with the Buffalo Bills in the National Football League
Shortly after leaving WWE, Steveson transitioned to American football. Despite having no prior experience in the sport, he signed as an undrafted free agent with the NFL’s Buffalo Bills in June 2024. The organization brought him in as a defensive lineman to capitalize on his size and athleticism. He attended training camp under head coach Sean McDermott, a former high school wrestling champion himself.
Steveson played in all three 2024 preseason games. In his debut, he recorded three tackles and two quarterback pressures across approximately 14 snaps. Ultimately, the Bills waived Steveson during final roster cuts in late August 2024, releasing him from his non-guaranteed three-year rookie contract before the start of the regular season.
Steveson expressed gratitude for the opportunity to “compete at the highest level” and to see “how my wrestling skills may translate to football.” Following his release, he returned full-time to wrestling and combat sports training.
Return to the Mat via Real American Freestyle (RAF)
In early 2025, Steveson returned to amateur wrestling competition, capturing titles at the U.S. Open and Final X to qualify for the world championship team, though he ultimately did not compete at Worlds. Instead, he transitioned to Real American Freestyle (RAF), an unscripted professional freestyle league backed by former WWE star Hulk Hogan. On March 25, 2026, the organization announced that Steveson had signed a multi-match contract to compete in the heavyweight division.
RAF co-founder and CEO Chad Bronstein called Steveson “a once-in-a-generation talent” whose technical skills and star power aligned seamlessly with the league’s high-stakes vision. Steveson made his heavyweight debut on May 30, 2026, at RAF 09. He defeated former UFC fighter Alexandr Romanov in a 10–0 victory that featured two takedowns. He then secured a 6–0 win over veteran wrestler Anthony Cassioppi at RAF 12 in August 2026.
These victories established an undefeated 2–0 RAF record. His position in the league sets the stage for a highly anticipated rematch against Wyatt Hendrickson, the reigning RAF heavyweight champion who previously snapped Steveson’s 70-match collegiate winning streak at the 2025 NCAA finals.
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Venturing into the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Heavyweight Division
Parallel to his wrestling commitments, Steveson launched a professional mixed martial arts (MMA) career. Competing on the regional MMA circuit throughout late 2025 and early 2026, he built a 3–0 record, securing all three victories via first-round knockout while training alongside former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones.
During the UFC 327 broadcast on April 12, 2026, the UFC officially announced Steveson’s signing. Citing his Olympic wrestling pedigree and undeniable knockout power, the promotion scheduled his main card debut for July 2026 during the UFC’s International Fight Week in Las Vegas. As of the summer of 2026, Steveson is preparing for his Octagon debut while remaining active in the RAF heavyweight division, effectively balancing professional careers in both freestyle wrestling and mixed martial arts.
Gable Steveson Net Worth
As of 2026, Gable Steveson’s net worth remains private and is based entirely on unofficial public estimates rather than confirmed figures. His documented income sources include a name, image, and likeness (NIL) deal and subsequent professional wrestling contract with WWE, a rookie NFL contract with the Buffalo Bills, and a UFC contract to compete in mixed martial arts.
He has also signed various endorsement and sponsorship deals, including partnerships with wrestling apparel company Takedown Sportswear and a role as a global ambassador for the betting platform 1Win.
FAQs
What was Gable Steveson’s high school wrestling record?
Gable Steveson compiled a 210–3 record at Apple Valley High School and won four Minnesota state championships.
What are Gable Steveson’s height and weight?
Gable Steveson is 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighs around 265 pounds. He competed in the 285-pound college heavyweight class and the 125-kilogram international freestyle class.
How did Gable Steveson perform in collegiate dual meets?
He went 59–0 in dual meets for the Minnesota Golden Gophers, including a flawless 44–0 record against Big Ten opponents.
Who did Gable Steveson share his first Dan Hodge Trophy with?
He co-won the 2021 Dan Hodge Trophy with Iowa’s Spencer Lee, marking only the second tie in the award’s history.
Did Gable Steveson win international wrestling medals before his Olympic gold?
Yes. Before earning gold at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, he won two Cadet World Championships and one Junior World Championship in freestyle wrestling.
