Gable Steveson just smashed his UFC debut at UFC 329 Saturday in Las Vegas, taking out Elisha Ellison in the first round, and he's already got a target on his back from none other than Josh Hokit. Steveson’s win was impressive, but the real fireworks are coming from the trash talk already flying in the heavyweight division.
Josh Hokit Just Went Full Supervillain After Steveson's Debut
This isn't just any internet beef, folks. Hokit is a top 10 ranked heavyweight prospect himself, only four fights into his UFC career, and he didn't hold back responding to Steveson's earlier comments. Hokit dropped an absolute bomb on social media, telling Steveson to remember: "this ain't wrestling." He then doubled down, warning anyone who signs up to face him in a fist fight better have a "good insurance policy." Hokit’s not messing around, even claiming it would take your doctor time "to put your face back together," unless you quit like his last opponent. This dude even threw shade at Steveson's trainer, Jon Jones! Hokit declared, "I'm the baddest man on the planet." He wasn't done there, demanding the UFC "give me Ciryl" and promising to clear out the entire division by the end of 2027. This guy truly wants to fight them all, and he definitely wants to get paid for it, which means he's chasing that title. Talk about setting a high bar for yourself, right?Steveson's Ice-Cold Response Has the Division Watching
After such a dominant debut, Steveson was asked about Hokit's fiery response. His take? Ice cold. "Like I said, I like Josh as a fighter," Steveson said, almost like he's humoring him. He called Hokit "a character" who "wants to make sure people follow him on Instagram or follow him on Twitter." But Steveson? He just goes out there to "dominate" and "win." He’s clearly not phased by Hokit’s bluster. He even left the door open for a fight, saying "if the time comes with Josh, if he doesn't move down before that, so be it, will make it happen." No drama from Steveson, just a calm acknowledgment of Hokit's "character work," saying "he does a great job, good for him." Steveson also had some thoughts on interim heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane, calling him "a great fighter, a fantastic fighter" and "one of my favorite fighters in the heavyweight division." Gane, who snagged an interim belt with a knockout over Alex Pereira, is definitely "a target" for Steveson in the future. Steveson's got a big target on his back already, but he's staying cool under pressure. He's enjoying this win today, hitting the gym Monday, and waiting for that next call, maybe even Madison Square Garden. And while Ciryl Gane and that interim title are in the "foreseeable future," Steveson's clearly focused on the "next fight" first. This heavyweight division just got a whole lot more interesting, and we're strapped in for the ride.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.