Olympic gold medalist and two-time NCAA Division I Heavyweight champion Gable Steveson faced off with Mexico’s Hugo Lezama at the close of the Mexico Fight League 3 (MFL) ceremonial weigh-ins today (Weds., Feb. 18, 2026) in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, one day before their main event showdown. Steveson tipped the scales at 249 pounds, while Lezama checked in at 238 pounds.
Unlike one of his staredowns last year — when Steveson got physical — this encounter was intense but respectful. The two Heavyweights locked eyes but kept it professional as cameras flashed ahead of fight night.
Check it out below:
Steveson (2-0) kicks off his 2026 campaign after a tremendous 2025 that saw him compete three times, including two mixed martial arts (MMA) bouts. He made his professional debut at LFA 217, stopping Braden Peterson in under two minutes (watch highlights). The Olympic gold medalist then briefly paused his MMA run for a one-off Dirty Boxing match, flattening Billy Swanson in just 15 seconds (watch highlights).
He capped his rookie campaign with a 24-second knockout of Kevin Hein, landing a brutal left hook before planting his already-unconscious opponent with a double-leg takedown (watch highlights).
The 25-year-old believes this fight could punch his ticket to the UFC, with hopes of debuting on the historic White House card later this summer.
For Lezama (11-3), this marks the biggest opportunity of his career, but he’s also the toughest test for Steveson. He’s won four of his last five fights — all by stoppage — with his lone defeat coming against Emiliano Sordi, a former PFL champion and Contender Series veteran.
