Chael Sonnen remains steadfast in his support for Gable Steveson despite the wrestler’s recent setback. Sonnen, a former UFC title contender who now works as an analyst and commentator, is taken aback by the growing skepticism online and in the media regarding Steveson’s future in MMA following his first professional defeat. Steveson suffered a stunning 12-second knockout loss to Sean Sharaf at UFC 331 earlier this month, yet Sonnen finds the criticism unwarranted.
On his YouTube channel, Sonnen addressed the harsh judgment Steveson has faced. He highlighted how some media voices have argued Steveson doesn’t belong in the UFC, despite acknowledging his ability to beat current UFC fighters. Sonnen expressed confusion over this reasoning, pointing out that beating UFC competitors should validate Steveson’s place in the promotion, not diminish it.
Sonnen continues to hold Steveson in high regard, maintaining the same respect he had before the loss. He emphasized that every fighter is vulnerable to being caught off guard, which is precisely what happened at UFC 331, but this single defeat doesn’t negate Steveson’s significant accomplishments, including his Olympic victory. Sonnen praised Steveson’s transition to MMA and recalled moments like his bare-knuckle knockout, showing the athlete’s impressive potential.
“He won the Olympics, and transitioning to MMA, how long does that take?” Sonnen remarked. “I’ve been nothing but impressed by him. Joe Rogan even texted Dana White saying the whole division is ‘effed.’ This loss isn’t unprecedented for him—he’s faced devastating losses before, including at the NCAA finals in front of the President,” Sonnen added, underlining that despite rare defeats, Steveson consistently bounces back.
Moreover, Sonnen pointed out an interesting insight regarding the heavyweight division’s reaction: no other fighter has stepped up to challenge Steveson following his UFC 331 loss. This, according to Sonnen, speaks volumes about his standing within the division.
“No one under contract has asked for that fight yet,” Sonnen said. “The bout he just had was high-profile and widely discussed. Whatever happens next for Gable will be big news, and fans will be watching closely to see if he flourishes or stumbles. But currently, no one is lining up to face him.”
Fan Take: This discussion highlights how quickly narratives can shift in MMA after just one loss, even for highly touted prospects like Steveson. For fighting fans, it emphasizes the importance of patience and perspective when evaluating athletes’ careers, showing that setbacks can fuel comebacks that shape the sport’s future.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
