Could Olympic gold medalist and heavyweight prospect Gable Steveson be on the way to the UFC after just two pro MMA fights?
Kevin Hein landed a left hand on Gable Steveson and probably thought, “Huh – that was nice.”
A couple seconds later Hein was unconscious.
Steveson (2-0) knocked out Hein (2-2) just 24 seconds into their heavyweight main event at APFC 21. The promotion, owned by former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis, moved Steveson’s fight to the main event past two title fights, and the Olympic gold medalist wrestler didn’t disappoint.
(And though Steveson was on point, the same couldn’t be said for the APFC production. Despite moving Steveson and his one pro MMA fight into the main event, past previously announced and publicized title fight headliners, the APFC broadcast stream on UFC Fight Pass still managed to spell Steveson’s last name wrong on its key graphics and on the on-screen timer throughout the entirety of the short fight.)
Afterward, Steveson said he was hoping UFC matchmaker Mick Maynard was there after the promotion’s event in Qatar – to possibly offer him a contract to go to the next level. That remains a possibility, anyway, though the 25-year-old now has just two MMA fights and one Dirty Boxing bout.
Hein came forward early and a left jab sneaked through. But moments later, Steveson threw a left hook with a takedown attempt behind it. Hein was likely unconscious before he hit the mat from the takedown, and a follow-up punch from Steveson was academic.
Check out Steveson’s quick finish below.
Following a wrestling career that included a gold medal and multiple NCAA Division I titles, Steveson made a stop in WWE and attempted to make an NFL team. He’s since pivoted to combat sports with two knockout wins. He won his MMA debut in September in 98 seconds by ground-and-pound TKO against Braden Peterson in LFA. Steveson then knocked out Billy Swanson in 15 seconds under a hybrid rule set for Dirty Boxing in October.
