Heavyweight prospect Gable Steveson will face the most experienced opponent of his young MMA career when he takes on Hugo Lezama at Mexico Fight League 3 on Feb. 19 in Monterrey, Mexico.
“The promotion announced the matchup on Sunday, confirming Steveson vs. Lezama as one of the marquee bouts on the card.”
Mexico Fight League 3 takes place at the Showcenter Complex and will air live on YouTube.
Gable Steveson enters the fight with a perfect 2-0 MMA record, but his name has carried major weight long before his professional debut. The 25-year-old is the youngest American to win an Olympic gold medal in wrestling and a two-time NCAA champion. He has finished both of his MMA bouts by knockout in a combined time of just 2 minutes and 2 seconds.
A protégé of UFC legend Jon Jones, Gable Steveson continues to showcase rapid development. He recently won a Dirty Boxing bout in just 15 seconds, meaning all three of his professional fights have taken place within a 10-week span.
Lezama, known as “Pandamonio,” represents a clear step up in competition. The Mexican heavyweight owns an 11-3 professional MMA record and is coming off a successful defense of the Budo Sento Championship heavyweight title in November 2024. Nine of his 11 victories have come by stoppage, including five knockouts and four submissions.
Gable Steveson is set to take another major step toward a potential UFC contract.
Despite being new to MMA, Steveson already ranks among the most talked-about heavyweight prospects in the sport. His elite wrestling base makes him an immediate threat, and his improving striking continues to raise eyebrows as he gains experience.
“There is already widespread belief that Steveson is on a fast track to the UFC, with some even projecting future title contention if his development continues.”
For now, Steveson remains without an official offer from the promotion. Feb. 19 presents a crucial opportunity to strengthen his case.
On Feb. 19, Gable Steveson will meet Hugo Lezama as part of the Mexico Fight League 3 card in Monterrey, a matchup first reported by MMA Junkie.
Lezama brings far more cage time into the fight, having faced tougher and more seasoned opposition. His resume includes a decision loss to former PFL standout Emiliano Sordi, further highlighting his level of competition.
Still, most observers expect Gable Steveson to remain the favorite. Steveson stopped Braden Peterson via first-round TKO in his MMA debut, then followed it with a one-punch knockout of Kevin Hein. That performance pushed his hype to another level and served as proof that his striking is already dangerous, even if wrestling remains his strongest weapon.
Gable Steveson’s future in MMA may hinge on this fight. A loss could slow his momentum and delay any UFC plans. Even a win may not guarantee an immediate contract.
However, a dominant performance could open doors quickly, with Dana White’s Contender Series emerging as a likely next step.
On Feb. 19, Gable Steveson gets the chance to show that the hype is justified and that his transition from wrestling phenom to MMA contender is accelerating right on schedule.
