Jon Jones reacts to training partner suffering the 'biggest upset in wrestling history'
03/23/2025 03:37 PM
UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones issued his first public remarks on Gable Steveson’s shocking defeat at the NCAA Championships.
Jon Jones‘s dominant win over Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 in November was due in part to the assistance of NCAA wrestling superstar Gable Steveson, a significant part of his fight camp. After Steveson’s crushing defeat over the weekend at the 2025 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships, Jones consoled his training partner.
Jones remains one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the UFC as he prepares for a likely showdown with Tom Aspinall later this year. He’s arguably the greatest UFC fighter of all time after a nearly unblemished run inside the Octagon during his career.
Before transitioning to MMA, Jones was a collegiate wrestling standout, winning a national championship at Iowa Central Community College. While known for his creativity on the feet, Jones is a mauling wrestler inside the cage, as evidenced by wins over Ciryl Gane and Daniel Cormier.
Jon Jones showers Gable Steveson with praise despite shock wrestling loss
Steveson entered his heavyweight championship showdown with Oklahoma State’s Wyatt Hendrickson as a significant favorite. The Olympic gold medalist defeated Hendrickson at the 2021 NCAA Championships, but four years later, Hendrickson got his revenge.
After falling behind early on against Steveson, Hendrickson secured an unlikely takedown late with 20 seconds left. It was the first takedown Steveson allowed the entire season.
Steveson’s loss is coined by many as the biggest upset in college wrestling history. While Jones hasn’t felt the jaws of defeat as significant as Steveson’s loss, he’s been through his fair share of low points during his career.
In a recent Instagram story post, Jones reacted to Steveson’s stunning defeat at the NCAA Championships.
“Proud of my brother. A loss on the mat doesn’t define anything – his work ethic, heart, and character speak for themselves,” Jones said of Steveson.
“One of the hardest-working, most impressive young men I’ve met in a long time. Higher and higher we climb.”
Steveson could potentially transition to MMA after concluding his wrestling career. The heavyweight standout has been hyped as a potential super prospect in MMA, especially after teaming up with Jones for the heavyweight champ’s fight camps.
Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall almost ‘done’ according to Dana White
Meanwhile, Jones vs. Aspinall is on the cusp of coming to fruition, as updated by UFC CEO Dana White in recent days. Aspinall trolled Jones at UFC London with a rubber duck, referring to the stance of many fans that Jones is ‘ducking’ a fight with Aspinall in favor of other opponent options.
Jones vs. Aspinall, if it’s finalized, is expected to be one of the biggest fights in UFC history. Many predict Aspinall will be the toughest test of Jones’s career, despite the legend facing a slew of Hall of Famers in his previous fights.
Jones also became a co-owner of Mike Perry’s Dirty Boxing Championship in recent days in his latest combat sports venture. Once he decides to hang up the gloves, Jones is set for continued financial success out of the cage.
