Curtis Blaydes Urges Patience on Gable Steveson’s UFC Jump, Cites Reach Concern

His caution highlights doubts about fast-tracking a 3-0 Olympic champion into elite heavyweight matchups.

Overview

Blaydes said Steveson should face longer, hard-to-take-down opponents before the UFC to avoid being "overly rushed."
He warned that Steveson’s shorter reach could limit his entries and make life harder against veterans who can sprawl.
Steveson is 3-0 since moving from Olympic wrestling to MMA, with all three wins coming by first-round knockout.
In his latest bout, he recovered from a head kick and stopped Hugo Lezama by TKO at Mexico Fight League 3.
A matchup with ex-UFC heavyweight Alexandr Romanov at RAF 09 on May 30 in Arlington is reported, and Steveson has said a UFC call is near with no contract announced.