LOS ANGELES — Three days after suffering the first defeat of his MMA career, Gable Steveson has broken his silence. The Olympic gold medalist was brutally knocked out by Sean Sharaf in just 12 seconds Saturday night at UFC 331, turning what was already a turbulent fight week into the biggest setback of Steveson’s young combat-sports career.
On Tuesday, Steveson released a lengthy statement addressing both the loss and the controversy surrounding allegations from his college years that Sharaf repeatedly referenced before the fight. Steveson also made one thing clear:
He isn’t walking away.
“As for my opponent, congratulations, you caught me,” Steveson wrote. “A mistake on my end was made. It was your night.” Steveson then compared the setback to his wrestling career, saying he intends to respond to the loss the same way he responded to adversity in wrestling.
“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,” he wrote. “The result of Saturday night, I believe, will catapult me to do the same. I will be great, and this won’t deny me.”
Steveson Addresses His Past
The UFC 331 buildup became increasingly personal after Sharaf brought up a 2019 sexual-assault allegation involving Steveson. Steveson was arrested in connection with the incident, but no criminal charges were filed. The matter was ultimately closed after prosecutors determined there was insufficient evidence to proceed.
In his statement, Steveson strongly denied the allegation and said he fully cooperated with law enforcement as well as a separate Title IX review.
“I want to be clear: I did not do anything alleged,” Steveson wrote. “I was never charged with a crime, and the matter was ultimately dropped by the district attorney.”
He added that there was no criminal conviction or finding of responsibility against him and said there is no pending legal issue involving him. Those statements represent Steveson’s account of the matter. The underlying allegations and the circumstances surrounding the investigation have remained part of public discussion since the incident.
A Brutal Night in Los Angeles
Whatever momentum Steveson had built entering UFC 331 disappeared almost instantly. Steveson entered the fight undefeated at 4-0, while Sharaf was looking for his first UFC victory.
Instead, Sharaf produced one of the biggest upsets in recent UFC heavyweight history. The 11-to-1 underdog stopped Steveson in 12 seconds, handing the Olympic wrestling champion his first MMA defeat.
The result was particularly stunning given the expectations surrounding Steveson, who entered MMA with an Olympic gold medal and an elite wrestling pedigree. It also came after Steveson endured sustained boos from the Los Angeles crowd throughout fight week.
He was booed at the press conference, ceremonial weigh-ins and during his walk to the Octagon. The situation became even more controversial after Steveson left the arena before the official announcement of Sharaf’s victory. Three days later, he finally addressed the public.
Steveson Still Believes in His Ceiling
Steveson’s statement wasn’t simply about defending himself. It was also a declaration that one devastating loss won’t define his MMA career.
At 26 years old, Steveson remains relatively early in his transition from elite amateur wrestling to mixed martial arts. The loss exposed areas of his game that will require significant work, but Steveson clearly doesn’t view the knockout as the end of the road.
He offered no specific timeline for his return and did not identify his next opponent. Instead, he focused on his family and the people closest to him.
“I know who I am,” Steveson wrote. “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.”
The next chapter of Steveson’s UFC career remains undefined. But his message Tuesday was unmistakable. The loss hurt. The controversy hasn’t disappeared. But Steveson intends to keep fighting.
If his wrestling career is any indication, he believes the response to his first professional MMA defeat will ultimately tell the bigger story.
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Robert LaMar is a Deputy Editor for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @RobertLaMar26
