Curtis Blaydes hopes UFC prospect Gable Steveson doesn't rush things

MIAMI – Curtis Blaydes worries Gable Steveson may not be UFC ready just yet. Although he's only fought several times as a professional, 2020 Olympic freestyle heavyweight gold medalist Steveson (3-0) said a call from the UFC is imminent . Blaydes (19-5 MMA, 14-5 UFC), who takes on a rising contender in Josh Hokit (8-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC) on Saturday's UFC 327 main card at Kaseya Center ( Paramount+ ), wants to see Steveson tested a little more before making it to the octagon.

"I think he's a lot better grappler than (Hokit), but he doesn't have the reach, so I feel like that's going to be an issue," Blaydes told MMA Junkie and other reporters at media day. "It hasn't been an issue yet, but you give him a longer guy who knows how to sprawl, that could be a problem. "I'd like to see him have to figure that out before he gets to the UFC.

I don't want him to be overly rushed and get exposed in the UFC. I guess he believes he's ready, so who knows better than he does? If he believes it, then all power to him.

" Steveson recently signed to compete against UFC veteran Alexandr Romanov at RAF 09 on May 30 at College Park Center in Arlington, Texas. The event will stream on FOX Nation. This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Curtis Blaydes doesn't want to see Gable Steveson 'overly rushed'