Gable Steveson Breaks Silence on 12-Second UFC 331 KO and Sexual Assault Allegations
The Olympic gold medalist addressed his historic knockout loss to Sean Sharaf and denied sexual assault allegations in a lengthy statement.
Gable Steveson has finally spoken. Three days after suffering one of the biggest upsets in UFC history, the Olympic gold medalist posted a lengthy statement addressing both his 12-second knockout loss to Sean Sharaf at UFC 331 and sexual assault allegations dating back to his college years.
On the loss itself, Steveson kept it brief. "As for my opponent, congratulations, you caught me," he wrote. "A mistake on my end was made." Far from sounding defeated, the 26-year-old framed the setback as fuel, claiming the result would "catapult" him forward. His professional record now sits at 4-1.
Sharaf's knockout at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on September 19 sent shockwaves through the sport. Steveson had entered as one of the heaviest favorites in UFC history, with closing odds ranging from -2500 to -3335 per MMA Mania. The fight lasted just 12 seconds.
Steveson also faced scrutiny for leaving the Octagon immediately after the stoppage without staying for Sharaf's hand raise. His coach Jon Jones later took responsibility for that decision, saying he wanted to get his friend backstage to check on him.
The more serious portion of the statement dealt with sexual assault allegations from Steveson's time at the University of Minnesota. He firmly denied the claims, stating he was arrested in 2019 but was "never charged with a crime, and the matter was ultimately dropped by the District Attorney." He added: "I did not do anything alleged. There were no criminal charges, no conviction, and no finding of responsibility against me."
The allegations resurfaced during fight week after Sharaf brought up Steveson's controversial past, per LowKick MMA. Fans at Crypto.com Arena booed Steveson heavily throughout the event. What was supposed to be a showcase for one of the UFC's most hyped prospects became a cautionary tale about the gap between pedigree and preparation.
Twelve seconds. That is what one of the heaviest favorites in UFC history lasted, and if you had Sharaf at those closing prices you hit the lottery. Anyone who bet the chalk at -2500 or worse learned an expensive lesson about laying that kind of number on a 4-0 fighter with no real cage time under fire.
The statement itself was fine. Brief on the loss, credit to Sharaf, owning the mistake. What I do not love is framing a 12-second knockout as fuel that will catapult you forward. It might, but the crowd in LA booed you before the fight even started. That was not about the loss.
On the allegations, Steveson says he was never charged and the matter was dropped, and that is the record. The fans decided how they feel anyway. The lesson from this whole week is about hype outrunning preparation, and I think the story nailed it. Pedigree does not block a left hook.
