Wyatt Hendrickson’s last-minute takedown of Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson in the NCAA heavyweight final stunned the wrestling and MMA worlds Saturday night.
Hendrickson, representing Oklahoma State, ended Steveson’s 70-match win streak with a 5–4 victory—the only takedown Steveson surrendered all season.
Daniel Cormier, who was in attendance, called it “the craziest ending in NCAA wrestling history,” adding, “What a moment. I’m so lucky to say I was here.”
Reactions poured in across the sports world.
Former Bellator contender Corey Anderson called it “the power of belief,” noting Hendrickson was previously defeated by Steveson.
“A guy who was teched by Gable Steveson the last time they wrestled. JUST BEAT OLYMPIC CHAMP, NATIONAL CHAMP, AND SUPERSTAR Gable Steveson on his LAST match ever!! WOW!! Congrats Oklahoma State!!” Anderson wrote.
Ben Askren described it as the “most shocking final I can remember,” while Jorge Masvidal, Eryk Anders, and Terrance McKinney posted their astonishment on social media.
“What a match! Crazy upset @NCAAWrestling,” Masvidal wrote.
“Upset of the century,” Anders posted on X.
“Wyatt Hendrickson just beat Gable Stevenson holy (expletive) lfg 😤😤😤,” McKinney wrote.
“Holy (expletive),” Chris Daukaus wrote.
“Let’s goo Cowboys,” added Kyle Crutchmer.
The upset came in Steveson’s final collegiate match. After winning Olympic gold in 2021, he briefly joined WWE and later attempted an NFL tryout before returning to Minnesota this season in pursuit of a third NCAA title.
Meanwhile, Hendrickson, a transfer from Air Force, became the first Oklahoma State heavyweight champion since 2005.
Minnesota’s Gable Steveson reacts after his match at 285 pounds in the finals during the sixth session of the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships in 2022.
© Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK
“It didn’t matter who was in front of me,” Hendrickson said after the match. “I set a goal to be the champion.
“It’s bigger than worlds, Olympics, anything. I was telling myself I know I can do this.”
