Henry Cejudo: Gable Steveson Faces Mental Block Post-Olympic Gold
Henry Cejudo suggests Gable Steveson has struggled since winning Olympic gold. Steveson's freestyle wrestling victory in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics marked a high point, but subsequent ventures into WWE and training with the Buffalo Bills didn't pan out. Now, facing a 12-second knockout loss to Sean Sharaf in the UFC, Steveson's career path appears uncertain.
Speaking to Full Send MMA, Cejudo voiced concern over Steveson's mental state, despite acknowledging his undeniable talent. "My question is his perspective," Cejudo stated. "Because with Gable, after the Olympics, he tried out for the WWE, and it didn’t work out. He tried out for (the NFL), and it didn’t work out. There’s something that’s just unsettled there where he’s just not finishing the job after the Olympics." Cejudo also noted Steveson's second-place finish at the Nationals.
"I know it’s (mental). Dude’s a specimen, especially if he’s disciplined," Cejudo continued. "There’s something that’s not there since the Olympics, and he needs to figure that out. Whether he could completely be 100 percent honest with himself and really pinpoint what is it – it’s not technique, I’ll tell you that much."
Steveson has also faced scrutiny due to past sexual assault allegations, which Sharaf brought up before their fight. The situation intensified when Steveson left the Octagon before Bruce Buffer officially announced Sharaf as the winner.
In English: Henry Cejudo stated that Gable Steveson appears to be dealing with a mental block since winning his Olympic gold medal, observing, "He’s just not finishing the job after the Olympics."
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