Henry Cejudo is calling for Gable Steveson to make significant improvements following his recent bout at UFC 331. Sean Sharaf (5-2 MMA, 1-2 UFC) delivered one of the most shocking upsets in UFC history by knocking out Steveson (4-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC) just 12 seconds into their fight at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles last Saturday.
Both Cejudo and Steveson share the distinction of being Olympic gold medalist wrestlers. After suffering two consecutive losses, Cejudo made major advancements in his striking skills and returned nearly a year later to deliver a knockout win against Wilson Reis. He suggests Steveson, who is still early in his MMA career, follow a similar path to develop his abilities.
“Honestly, I’m not shocked, and it pains me to admit this,” Cejudo said on his “Pound 4 Pound” podcast with Kamaru Usman. “You can’t rush things in this sport, and I hope Bo Nickal is paying attention here too. You have to respect the game, focus on mixed martial arts, and commit fully. My advice for Gable Steveson is this: he needs to spend an entire year improving his defensive skills.
“If striking is going to be your weapon, then dedicate a full year just to that. You’re still young. Forget about juggling other fights, grappling, or side plans. If you aim to be the best in the world, zone in on your striking, improve your defense, and cover all the fundamentals. That chin is fragile—once it’s hit, you’re done.”
Steveson appeared visibly upset after the fight, leaving the octagon before the official result was announced by Bruce Buffer. However, his mentor Jon Jones later disclosed that it was his decision for Steveson to exit the cage early.
This story was originally published on MMA Junkie: Ex-champ suggests Gable Steveson take drastic measure to rebound from UFC 331 KO.
Fan Take: This development is crucial for fight fans because it highlights the importance of evolving beyond a strong wrestling base to survive and thrive in MMA’s diverse combat environment. Steveson’s journey could set a precedent on how Olympic wrestlers adapt their skill sets to achieve long-term success in the UFC.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
