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Gable Steveson reacts to national finals loss, what's next after wrestling career

IMG_6598by:Nick Kosko•03/24/25•

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Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Two-time NCAA champion Gable Steveson was stunned Saturday with a national championship loss to Oklahoma State’s Wyatt Hendrickson. However, he took the rare loss in stride and is eager for what’s next in his athletic career.

What’s next for the Olympic Gold Medalist? Well, Steveson has been training in mixed martial arts and could be fielding calls from more NFL teams.

Steveson signed with the Buffalo Bills last summer and played in the preseason before being cut. Whether it’s football or MMA, Steveson is ready for the next chapter following his final collegiate season.

“I’m not happy with the results that happened this past weekend, but, you know, it’s a blessing to go out there in front of the crowd and from the biggest stage,” Steveson said on The Pat McAfee Show. “Since leaving in 2022, I’ve always wanted to go out there and give one last good push for the University of Minnesota.

“And so that’s what I try to do. I try to make things as big as possible. And I love the show. I love going out there and feeling the jitters, having your heart race, and having a great opponent across from you and and whether it’s win or loss, the road doesn’t end for me, and I keep going forward.”

Steveson ended his collegiate career with a 101-3 record and had a 73-match winning streak going into the final bout. It didn’t end with gold, but Steveson has no regrets.

“The sun always comes up the next day,” Steveson said. “But what’s next for me is I’ve been boxing. I’ve been putting on the gloves, doing jiu jitsu classes, trying to get ready for an MMA career. Right after I stepped off the mats Saturday night, just a couple calls from a few new teams in the NFL, and just, the roads keep opening. 

“And I’m just so happy that I can go out there and put on my best performance, win or lose. Like I said, I’m always a showman. I go out there and, and I turn the crowd up. I show love, and if a guy gets his hand raised across from me, it’s respect as always. And so the doors are still opening, and I’m just so happy where I am today and where the future is going to take me.”