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Dana White seeks 'right fight' for Gable Steveson's UFC 329 debut

Yahoo Sports

Dana White doubts Gable Steveson will draw a top 15 name in his anticipated UFC 329 debut.

Dana White still hasn't determined who Gable Steveson will face in his highly anticipated octagon debut at UFC 329. Olympic gold medalist Steveson (3-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC) will step on to MMA's biggest stage in just his fourth professional fight when he competes at the UFC's 14th annual International Fight Week on July 11 in Las Vegas ( Paramount+ ). The 25-year-old has shown glimpses of brilliance of his young combat career and is promising the "biggest debut on earth" at UFC 329.

The question of who will be standing across from him in the cage, however, still remains a mystery. With some already clamouring to see Steveson thrust into the upper tier of the heavyweight division from the outset, the quality of Steveson's debut opponent will be much-discussed. It doesn't appear that UFC CEO White is looking to throw him in the deep end right away, though.

"CM Punk fought here – we'll find somebody," White told reporters at Saturday's UFC Fight Night 273 post-fight new conference in Canada. "I don't know if we go after a top 15 guy. I say this to you guys all the time: The UFC jitters are real.

I don't care how you've competed or where or what you've done. When you come here, it' a different level. "Our matchmakers are the best in the business.