Gable Steveson‘s dramatic loss to Wyatt Hendrickson at the NCAA championships echoed around the wrestling world, leaving fans and pundits stunned. Steveson had ruled the heavyweight division for years, having won an Olympic gold medal, two NCAA championships, and is a former WWE and NFL prospect. So obviously he was expected to breeze to another national championship, but Hendrickson had different plans. In a spectacular last-second sequence, the Oklahoma State wrestler pulled off an upset that many are calling the biggest in NCAA history. Even Chael Sonnen has now spoken out about the startling result, and in true Sonnen style, he compared it to one of the most shocking incidents in combat sports history. So, what did he say?
On ESPN’s Good Guy, Bad Guy, Sonnen stated that Hendrickson’s victory was “bigger in many ways” than Matt Serra‘s famed upset of Georges St-Pierre. “Gable Steveson’s won the Olympic Games, he’s been in the NFL, he’s been in the WWE,” Sonnen told Daniel Cormier. “I’m just saying, apparently, winning the NCAA tournament is harder than all of those things… I can’t even put the magnitude. I’d have to make something up… I’ve never seen anything as surprising as this.” Whether he was being sarcastic or serious, Sonnen made one thing quite clear: this was a historic upset.
Steveson appeared to be in command for the majority of the contest, leading 4-2 heading into the final minutes. But Hendrickson refused to go quietly, scoring an unbelievable three-point takedown with only seconds remaining—the only one Steveson allowed all season. Steveson was left dumbfounded on his knees, while Hendrickson collapsed in joy. The Oklahoma State wrestler’s victory snapped Steveson’s 73-match winning streak and cemented his position in NCAA history.
However, this may not be the last time they meet. Hendrickson, who transferred from the Air Force Academy for his final year of eligibility, is now aiming for the 2028 Olympics, which Steveson may also seek. If that’s the case, this unexpected NCAA final might be the beginning of a much bigger rivalry down the road. But while we know Chael Sonnen‘s reaction, what about Daniel Cormier? What did ‘DC’ have to say about it?
Daniel Cormier fangirls over Gable Steveson’s biggest defeat
Daniel Cormier is the epitome of a wrestling fanatic. From competing at the Olympic level to becoming a two-division UFC champion, ‘DC’ has seen it all. But even for someone who has experienced the pinnacles of combat sports, what transpired in the NCAA finals left him surprised. Cormier has called numerous NCAA games, but this one? This was different. This wasn’t just another title fight; it was a historic upset, the kind of moment that shakes the sport’s entire structure. And as it all unfolded, ‘DC’ was more than simply a commentator; he was a fan, losing his mind alongside everyone else in the Wells Fargo Center.
Cormier couldn’t keep his cool as the clock crept down and Hendrickson accomplished the impossible. The former UFC champion erupted on commentary, screaming, “This could be it! The biggest upset in NCAA history! Yes, he has done it!” And when the match was finally over, with Hendrickson triumphant, the UFC commentator had the only logical reaction: “Wyatt Hendrickson just beat Gable Steveson.” Despite having witnessed several famous battles, the sheer enormity of the moment stunned him. It was as if history had been remade right before his eyes.
Cormier, still buzzing from the madness, rushed to X (previously Twitter) to let the world know just how nuts the situation was. “Shut up! That was the craziest ending in NCAA wrestling history. What a moment. I’m so lucky to say I was here.” Who could really blame him? This wasn’t just an upset; it was the kind of sporting event that will be talked about for decades. An Olympic gold medalist, a powerful NCAA champion, was defeated by an underdog who refused to quit. For ‘DC,’ it was one of those nights when everything went perfectly. March 22, 2025, belonged to Wyatt Hendrickson. What do you think? Was this the biggest upset in NCAA history? Let us know in the comments.
The post Chael Sonnen Makes Strong Statement on Gable Stevenson’s NCAA Loss to Wyatt Henrickson appeared first on EssentiallySports.
