Former UFC champion Jon Jones has accepted responsibility for Gable Steveson exiting the cage before the official announcement of his defeat at UFC 331. On Saturday, Steveson was swiftly knocked out in just 12 seconds by the massive underdog Sean Sharaf, thrilling the crowd in Los Angeles.
This marked the first loss in Steveson’s career, which had been filled with high expectations due to his status as an Olympic wrestling gold medalist. The anticipation surrounding the 26-year-old American only grew when he began training alongside Jones, a longtime friend and one of UFC’s most controversial figures.
However, controversy arose when both Steveson and Jones left the fighting area before the official result was declared. Addressing the situation on social media, 39-year-old Jones explained, “It was my call to take Gable straight backstage after the bout. This was a new experience for me, and my immediate instinct was to get my friend to a safe place to check on him.”
Jones emphasized his faith in Steveson’s dedication and competitive spirit, stating, “Gable’s work ethic and hunger to win are undeniable. I stand behind him and believe he will become one of the UFC’s top heavyweights. He will return stronger, I’m certain of it.”
Before this event, Steveson held a perfect 4-0 UFC record, all wins coming via first-round knockouts, though his lack of experience had been noted—and Sharaf capitalized on that. The victorious Sharaf, a former US Marine, was visibly emotional after the fight and spoke to reporters, “I saw him leaving, but I’d been thinking about this moment beforehand. I was undefeated until my first UFC loss, and now he’s facing his first loss. It’s a learning experience—you have to take losses as a chance to grow and can’t ever underestimate your opponents.”
Sharaf reflected on his strategy, saying, “The plan was simple: hit without getting hit and leave with a paycheck. People thought I was joking, but I’m just incredibly thankful. I prayed and believed in myself and my team, and I’m so happy for this moment.”
He added, “I treated this fight like any other and never put anyone above me. At the end of the day, we all bleed the same. I might have shocked the world, but nothing really feels different—except now I’m getting a lot more interviews!”
Fan Take: This stunning upset and Jones’ protective reaction highlight how unpredictable and emotionally charged the world of MMA can be. For fight fans, Steveson’s defeat serves as a reminder that even top prospects face tough hurdles, promising more intense competition and exciting storylines ahead for the heavyweight division.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
