Gable Steveson has finally spoken out following the surprising first defeat of his professional MMA career. On Tuesday, through his manager Abraham Kawa, Steveson issued a detailed statement addressing his unexpected 12-second loss to Sean Sharaf at UFC 331. The Olympic wrestling champion took responsibility, calling the defeat “a mistake on my end,” and promised to bounce back with the same determination he showed after setbacks during his distinguished amateur wrestling career.
Steveson compared his recent loss to previous challenges, saying, “Just like my wrestling days after my loss, I came back with an undeniable will to win and focus that led me to the top of my sport. The result of Saturday night, I believe, will catapult me to do the same. I will be great, and this won’t deny me.”
He also confronted the resurfaced sexual assault allegations dating back to 2019 during his college years, which were brought up by his UFC 331 opponent in an apparent attempt to unsettle him before the fight. Steveson denied the accusations, stating he was never charged and the case was dropped after thorough investigations, including a Title IX review. He emphasized full cooperation with authorities and highlighted that his attorney’s separate investigation confirmed the matter was resolved and no legal actions are pending.
Addressing his supporters, Steveson said, “To the people who support me, thank you. I know who I am. My family knows who I am. The people who have walked with me through life know who I am. That’s what matters to me, and that’s where I’m going to keep my focus.”
Regarding the fight, Steveson congratulated Sharaf, acknowledging the mistake that led to his defeat and reaffirmed his commitment to come back stronger.
At 26 years old, Steveson entered UFC 331 as one of the most promising heavyweight prospects in recent MMA history. Despite his opponent Sean Sharaf holding an 0-2 UFC record before their bout, Sharaf’s victory turned out to be the biggest upset in UFC betting history on Draft Kings. Steveson’s accolades include being a two-time NCAA Division I national champion, twice winning the Dan Hodge Trophy, and most notably, capturing Olympic gold in freestyle wrestling at just 21—making him the youngest champion in his division’s history.
Before the loss, Steveson was undefeated as a professional MMA fighter, boasting four first-round knockouts during his debut year, including a dominant two-minute win over Elisha Ellison in his UFC debut just a few months earlier in July. However, the buildup to the fight was overshadowed by Sharaf’s focus on the 2019 sexual assault allegations against Steveson, a case that was dropped due to insufficient evidence and complicated legal definitions that have since changed.
After the fight, Steveson’s immediate exit from the cage before the official result sparked criticism. UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier criticized him on the post-fight broadcast, calling him an “ungrateful loser.” UFC legend Jon Jones, one of Steveson’s mentors, clarified that he guided Steveson backstage post-fight to ensure his well-being.
Fan Take:
This news is a pivotal moment for MMA fans as it shows that even the most highly touted talents can face humbling setbacks, reinforcing the unpredictable nature of the sport. Steveson’s transparency and willingness to confront both personal and professional challenges head-on could inspire a compelling comeback story that adds depth to his burgeoning MMA career and engages fans worldwide.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
