UFC champion Jon Jones defends his protege Gable Steveson following a stunning knockout defeat at UFC 331.
UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones recently offered a strong vote of confidence for his training partner and protege, Gable Steveson, following a major career setback inside the Octagon.
Steveson suffered a shock knockout loss against Sean Sharaf at UFC 331, raising questions about his immediate future in the world of mixed martial arts and combat sports.
Despite the difficult defeat, Jones insists that the former Olympic wrestling champion remains on the right track, according to information published by mmamania.
Jon Jones Praises Gable Steveson After UFC 331 Defeat
Speaking in a recent interview, Jon Jones stated that Gable Steveson is doing really awesome and deserves success because of his character outside the cage.
Jones described his protege as an awesome father, husband, and son who treats the people around him with great respect and kindness.
The heavyweight champion also highlighted the extraordinary athletic potential of Steveson, noting that he believes firmly in his abilities moving forward.
Drawing Parallels to MMA Legends Like Gorges St-Pierre
To put the recent setback into perspective, Jon Jones compared the rocky start of Gable Steveson to the famous early career stumbles of MMA great Georges St-Pierre.
Jones specifically referenced the historic loss of GSP against Matt Serra as proof that even the greatest fighters experience devastating knockouts.
The coaching staff remains fully confident, planning to incorporate more sparring sessions to help Steveson improve his overall skill set.
The Transition From Freestyle Wrestling to the UFC Octagon
Gable Steveson entered the UFC after a diverse athletic background that included exploratory ventures into both the NFL and WWE.
After dominating early competition with first-round technical knockouts, including a victory at Mike Perry's Dirty Boxing Championship 4, Steveson signed a premium contract.
He bypassed the traditional developmental paths of the Contender Series and The Ultimate Fighter before making his promotional debut against Elisha Ellison.
Controversy and the Road to Recovery for Steveson
Ahead of the UFC 331 event, Gable Steveson faced intense scrutiny from fans and opponents regarding a past legal situation from June 2019 in Minnesota.
Although a county attorney ultimately chose not to file charges due to insufficient evidence, the topic resurfaced during pre-fight press conferences.
Despite these external pressures and the recent knockout loss, Jon Jones maintains that Steveson is in a great headspace and ready to rebuild.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Gable Steveson's mentor in MMA?
Jon Jones serves as a key mentor and training partner for Gable Steveson, offering public support and guidance after his recent losses.
What happened to Gable Steveson at UFC 331?
Gable Steveson suffered a shock knockout loss against Sean Sharaf at UFC 331, marking a major setback in his professional mixed martial arts career.
What did Jon Jones say about Gable Steveson?
Jon Jones stated that he believes in Gable Steveson as both a person and an extraordinary athlete, comparing his rocky start to the early career of Georges St-Pierre.
How did Gable Steveson reach the UFC?
After competing in Olympic freestyle wrestling and exploring the NFL and WWE, Gable Steveson won fights in low-level MMA before signing a lucrative UFC contract.
