Gable Steveson Scores First-Round TKO at MFL 3, Remains Undefeated

Gable Steveson is now 3-0 after another dominant performance, stopping Hugo Lezama by first-round TKO at Mexico Fight League 3. The bout lasted 3:50—his longest as a pro—but the result was familiar: Steveson used his elite wrestling to control position, then finished with heavy ground strikes that forced the referee to step in.

For Steveson, this was more than just another win. Lezama came in with an 11–4 record and far more cage time than Steveson’s previous opponents. The step up in competition was real, and Steveson handled it decisively. He’s now 3–0 as a professional, and all three victories have come by first-round stoppage.

Steveson Dominates Again

Lezama opened with a spinning kick that briefly caught attention, but Steveson absorbed it and immediately went to work. He closed distance, secured a takedown, and took top control. From there, it was a matter of time. Steveson unleashed a barrage of punches from the mount, forcing the referee to wave off the contest before the round was over.

The finish reinforced what many already suspected: Steveson’s wrestling base is elite, and his ground-and-pound is developing quickly. While his striking remains a work in progress, his ability to dictate where the fight takes place has been more than enough to overwhelm opponents so far.

What This Means for Steveson’s Future

Three wins. Three finishes. Zero questions about his dominance at the regional level. The real question now is what comes next.

The UFC has been monitoring Steveson’s progress closely. He’s a marketable athlete with Olympic credentials, a brief failed WWE stint, an experience with the NFL’s Buffalo Bills and the kind of physical tools that make heavyweight matchmakers take notice. Add in his finishing ability and the hype around his name, and you have a fighter the UFC would love to promote.

After MFL 3, Steveson kept his comments focused on improvement rather than calling for an immediate UFC contract. That suggests he and his camp are thinking long-term, not rushing into a situation that could expose gaps in his game. Well unless you want to have your UFC Debut fight at the White House like Steveson wants.

Still, the pressure is mounting. Fans and media are already debating whether he’s ready for the octagon. Another finish or two at this level, and it will be hard to justify keeping him out of the UFC much longer.

Can Steveson Handle the UFC’s Best?

Steveson’s wrestling is world-class—there’s no debate there. His ground control and finishing instincts have been impressive through three fights. But the UFC heavyweight division is a different animal.

He’ll face strikers with knockout power, grapplers who can defend takedowns, and veterans who know how to survive early storms. His cardio, striking defense, and ability to adjust mid-fight haven’t been tested yet. Those are the areas where the UFC’s top heavyweights will look to expose him.

That said, the heavyweight division is thin, and Gable’s upside is enormous. If the UFC signs him soon, expect a carefully selected debut opponent—someone tough enough to be credible but not experienced enough to punish his weaknesses.

What Happens Next

Expect negotiations between Steveson’s team and the UFC to heat up. If he stays active outside the promotion, his next fight should feature another experienced opponent who can test him in areas beyond early wrestling exchanges.

If he signs with the UFC, matchmakers will face a tough decision: Do they give him a ranked opponent right away and risk derailing the hype train, or do they ease him in with a mid-tier veteran and let him develop on the biggest stage?

Either way, his stock is rising. His combination of Olympic gold, crossover appeal, and finishing ability makes him one of the most compelling heavyweight prospects in recent memory. The clock is ticking on how long he stays in regional promotions.

The Bottom Line With Gable’s Future

Gable Steveson is 3–0, undefeated, and finishing everyone in the first round. His win over Hugo Lezama at MFL 3 proved he can handle a step up in competition. The question is no longer if he’s ready for the UFC—it’s when he’ll get there, and how quickly he’ll make an impact once he does.

For now, the MMA world is watching. If Gable keeps finishing fights this way, the UFC won’t be able to ignore him much longer.