Gable Steveson has dominated the wrestling world – but as he prepares for his submission grappling debut against Craig Jones at CJI 2, he’s been forced to rethink his entire approach.
Steveson will at least bring a significant size advantage into the match, and with the Craig Jones Invitational ruleset favoring aggression and initiation in judge’s decisions, his wrestling background could play well into the scoring criteria.
During a recent appearance on the Overdogs podcast with MMA veteran Mike Perry, Steveson broke down how he’s adjusting his style to deal with a submission specialist like Jones
You keep the pressure on but you keep it on to a certain extent, you know?
Craig is seasoned in sitting on his back and being reliable in that position.And so we’re used to, as wrestlers, especially me, it’s just pressure, pressure, pressure.
But I know that’s what he’s going to be looking for so just avoiding that.Hitting the right turns, hitting the right angles, and letting that body weight really get on him, and have the repeated success that I can do to him.
Perry also asked Steveson about his long-term interest in MMA, and while his upcoming clash with Jones is strictly grappling, it’s clear his preparation is laying the foundation for an eventual transition to the octagon:
Everything from top to bottom, you know?I’m taking it one step at a time and I’m taking it really slow, and really putting myself in the shoes of every single category I can.
Just being polished and being really sound, and technically sound, in every spot too.
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