Brett Okamoto
Gable Steveson, once regarded as one of MMA’s most promising prospects, faced heavy criticism after leaving the Octagon immediately following his first professional loss Saturday in Los Angeles.
On Monday, Steveson’s mentor and UFC legend Jon Jones said he was responsible for the decision.
“I’ve seen some reports online and I really wanted to clear the air,” Jones wrote on X. “It was my decision to take Gable straight to the back after the fight. Honestly it was the first time in this situation for me and my instant reaction was to get my friend to the back to make sure he was OK. Gable’s work ethic and will to win is there and I stand by him and believe he will go on to be one of the best heavyweights in the UFC.
“He will be back I’m sure of it.”
UFC commentator Daniel Cormier was among those who criticized Steveson’s departure, saying, “You cannot be a great winner but then an ungrateful loser, and I think that was bad by Steveson.”
Sean Sharaf, who pulled off the upset, said Steveson’s early exit did not bother him much. Sharaf also told ESPN he expects the UFC to eventually schedule a rematch because of the significance of their first meeting.
“I know [the UFC] is going to want it,” Sharaf said. “I already know the storyline, how it plays out, but I don’t know. I think he’s got to go do some reflecting and figure his stuff out because you can’t underestimate anyone in this game no matter what. It’s fighting and anything’s possible.”
An Olympic wrestling gold medalist and two-time NCAA Division I national champion, Steveson entered the fight with a 4-0 record. The 24-year-old instead suffered one of the most startling upsets in UFC history when Sharaf knocked him out with a left hook just 12 seconds into their main-card heavyweight bout at UFC 331 in Crypto.com Arena.
The finish was the third-fastest knockout in UFC heavyweight history and gave Sharaf, who had arrived with a 0-2 UFC record, his first victory in the organization.