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Olympic Champion Gable Steveson to Make MMA Debut

The Story: Gable Steveson, the 2020 Olympic gold medalist in wrestling, is officially stepping into the world of MMA. He will debut on September 12, 2025, at LFA 217 in Minnesota, facing Braden Peterson in a heavyweight clash.
Background:
- Steveson is widely regarded as one of the most dominant American wrestlers of his generation.
- He briefly signed with WWE, where his Olympic status made him a high-profile figure.
- He also had a short NFL stint with the Buffalo Bills, showcasing his athletic versatility.
Expectations: MMA fans and analysts believe Steveson could rise quickly in the heavyweight division thanks to his elite wrestling base, similar to how Brock Lesnar once stormed into the UFC.
Fan Hype: Social media reactions have been full of anticipation, with many dubbing him a “champion in waiting” before he even fights.

The Story: After winning the UFC Middleweight Championship at UFC 319, Khamzat Chimaev made his first trip home to Chechnya.
Celebration: In a symbolic ceremony, he handed over his UFC belt to Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov.
Why This Matters:
- Chimaev is now seen as a national hero in Chechnya, though the move is controversial due to Kadyrov’s global reputation and sanctions.
- The event highlights how MMA champions often hold significant cultural and political weight beyond the cage.
The Fight Itself: Chimaev’s win came against Dricus du Plessis, where he used relentless wrestling to control the fight and capture the title.
The Debate: While dominant, the fight drew criticism from some fans who labeled it “boring” due to Chimaev’s heavy grappling. Supporters countered that it showed his technical brilliance and championship-level control.

The Event: During Contender Series Season 9, Week 2, UFC President Dana White broke tradition by handing out five UFC contracts in one night.
Standout Fighters:
- Cameron Rowston earned a UFC contract with a devastating first-round knockout. He is already set to fight on the UFC Perth card later this year.
- Other winners, despite some matchmakers being hesitant, all got signed due to their strong performances.
Why It Matters: Normally, not all winners are awarded contracts. This all-in approach shows White’s aggressive push to add fresh talent into the UFC.

The Story: Former Ultimate Fighter winner Bryan Battle has been cut from the UFC roster following his second consecutive weight miss.
Details:
- Battle was scheduled to fight Nursulton Ruziboev at UFC 319.
- He missed weight again, leading to the cancellation of the fight.
Why This Matters: The UFC has been increasingly strict about fighters missing weight, as it disrupts cards and affects fighter safety. Battle’s release is a reminder that repeated issues can cost even promising athletes their contracts.

The Matchup: UFC has confirmed that Reinier de Ridder, former ONE Championship star, will headline against Anthony Hernandez on October 18, 2025, in Vancouver.
Why Fans Care:
- De Ridder is known for his grappling-heavy style and dominance in submissions.
- Hernandez has been on a strong UFC rise, with an aggressive, high-pressure fighting approach.
Expectations: This is seen as a clash of styles that could shake up the middleweight rankings.

The Buzz: Former UFC double champion Conor McGregor has been posting cryptic messages and training clips, hinting at a potential comeback.
Daniel Cormier’s Take: The UFC legend-turned-analyst said McGregor is “teasing fans with every post” and likely planning a return fight soon.
Context: McGregor has been absent since his leg injury against Dustin Poirier in 2021, making any comeback a huge storyline for the UFC.

The Issue: After UFC 319, some fans criticized Khamzat Chimaev’s wrestling-heavy title fight as lacking excitement.
The Counterpoint: Analysts argue that while not flashy, such performances highlight elite-level control and strategy, which are just as valuable as knockouts or submissions.
Larger Discussion: This has reignited debates about potential rule changes to discourage stalling on the ground, though purists argue the sport should remain as is.

Story	Key Details
Gable Steveson Debut	Olympic gold wrestler to debut Sept 12 at LFA 217 against Braden Peterson.
Chimaev in Chechnya	Celebrated UFC title with leader Kadyrov; sparked political debate.
Dana White’s Contracts	All 5 Contender Series winners signed to UFC.
Bryan Battle Released	Dropped after 2nd weight miss at UFC 319.
Vancouver Main Event	Reinier de Ridder vs. Anthony Hernandez set for Oct 18.
McGregor Comeback Hints	Social media posts fuel speculation of return.
Chimaev Fight Criticism	Some called it boring; others praised technical dominance.