Jon Jones and Gable Steveson: UFC Heavyweight Dilemma

Gable Steveson's Rapid Ascent

• 🚀 Gable Steveson has demonstrated exceptional activity in recent weeks, fighting multiple times and garnering significant viral attention online.
• 📈 This level of engagement is unprecedented for a fighter outside the UFC, even surpassing established UFC contenders in terms of views and clicks.
• 🎯 His rapid rise creates a placement problem for the UFC, as he is expected to be fast-tracked and could achieve a 6-0 record within two years, putting him in title contention.

The Jon Jones Dilemma

• 💬 Steveson has publicly stated his unwillingness to fight Jon Jones, which presents a significant challenge if he joins the UFC.
• ❓ The central question is whether Jon Jones would be willing to step aside, retire, or move divisions (e.g., back to 205 pounds) to accommodate Steveson's potential rise.
• 💡 A narrative suggests Steveson is Jones's protégé, despite them not training together, adding a complex layer to their perceived relationship.

Historical Parallels and Avoidance Tactics

• 🤝 The situation draws parallels to Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev, where Khabib stepped away from a belt for Islam, and Daniel Cormier and Cain Velasquez, where Cormier moved to light heavyweight.
• 🎭 A common tactic to avoid fighting is the "we're brothers, so we don't fight" excuse, often employed by champions to sidestep challenging matchups.
• ⚠️ This "brotherhood" claim is often viewed as a form of gamesmanship to avoid difficult fights, especially when the challenger is perceived as a significant threat.

Heavyweight Division Impact

• 💥 The current heavyweight division is described as being in a weak state, suggesting Steveson could quickly become a dominant force upon entry.
• 🏆 His background as an NCAA All-American, Olympian, and Olympic medalist indicates he would be a "wrecking path" to the top of the division.
• 🔍 The core issue revolves around how the final chapter of the Jon Jones and Gable Steveson story will unfold once Steveson inevitably reaches the pinnacle of the division.