TLDR
- Gable Steveson headlines Mexico Fight League 3 on February 19 against veteran Hugo Lezama
- The 25-year-old Olympic gold medalist is 2-0 in his professional MMA career with two knockouts
- Lezama brings 14 professional fights and an 82-percent finishing rate to the matchup
- Steveson weighed in at a career-low 249 pounds for the heavyweight bout
- The fight streams live and free on Mexico Fight League’s YouTube channel
Sources: Combat Press | MMA News | Bloody Elbow
Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson will return to the cage on Thursday, February 19, when he faces veteran fighter Hugo Lezama in the main event of Mexico Fight League 3. The heavyweight bout takes place at the Showcenter Complex in Monterrey, Mexico.
Steveson enters the fight with a perfect 2-0 professional MMA record. Both of his previous wins came by knockout.
The 25-year-old wrestler brings rare credentials to mixed martial arts. He won Olympic gold and captured multiple NCAA Division I and Big Ten wrestling titles before spending time in WWE.
Lezama represents the biggest test of Steveson’s young MMA career. The veteran known as “Pandemonium” has competed in 14 professional bouts with an 82-percent finishing rate.
The Mexican fighter has won four of his past five fights. All four victories came by stoppage.
🗣️ Joe Rogan just put Gable Steveson in the UFC's ELITE tier for heavyweights 🤔
"There's basically four or five guys on earth that are in this championship caliber class. And you're already there, which is nuts. You haven't even fought in the UFC yet."
(via @joerogan) pic.twitter.com/KblfZausy5
— COMBAT SPORTS TODAY (@CSTodayNews) January 2, 2026
Steveson Hits Career-Low Weight
Steveson weighed in at 249 pounds for Thursday’s bout. The weight marks a career low for the heavyweight fighter.
“I am excited to continue my MMA journey at Mexico Fight League 3,” Steveson said. “I have a great opportunity to go against one of Mexico’s solid veteran fighters.”
He added that the fight is “all about growth” and testing himself before moving to the next level. Steveson said he plans to “take care of business and dominate.”
UFC CEO Dana White and commentator Joe Rogan have both praised Steveson’s potential. Rogan has called the heavyweight division in trouble once Steveson joins the UFC roster.
UFC Middleweight Offers Advice
UFC middleweight Bo Nickal recently shared advice for Steveson ahead of his potential UFC signing. Nickal, another highly-touted wrestler who transitioned to MMA, cautioned Steveson about managing expectations.
“Just focus on getting better at fighting and whatever the matchups are, you’ll figure it out,” Nickal told MMA Fighting. “If you win or lose a fight, you’re still Gable Steveson.”
Nickal joined the UFC in 2022 with similar hype. He suffered his first loss to Reinier de Ridder in May before bouncing back with a knockout victory at UFC 322.
Steveson trains with UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones. He recently named Jones to his personal “Mount Rushmore” of heavyweight fighters.
Steveson also included Daniel Cormier and Brock Lesnar on his list. He left out former UFC heavyweight champions Stipe Miocic and Cain Velasquez.
“When Brock showed up people watched, and people cared,” Steveson told Submission Radio. “What an honor it was to be next to him in the wrestling room.”
The co-main event at Mexico Fight League 3 features Irving “Mustang” Cardona against Edgar Escarrega. Escarrega has won six of his past seven bouts.
The event streams live and free on the Mexico Fight League YouTube channel. A strong performance by Steveson could lead to a call from UFC matchmakers for his promotional debut.
