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Jon Jones says he ‘believes’ in Gable Steveson and that protege ‘deserves good things’

UFC light heavyweight and former heavyweight champion Jon Jones has publicly reaffirmed his confidence in his protégé, Gable Steveson, following the latter’s surprising first-round knockout loss to Sean Sharaf at UFC 331. Jones praised Steveson’s character, work ethic, and personal life, calling him an ‘extraordinary’ athlete and emphasizing that he ‘deserves good things’ after the setback.

The former Olympic freestyle wrestler, who transitioned from wrestling to MMA after unsuccessful stints in the NFL and WWE, has shown flashes of dominance in his early UFC career, including three first-round TKO victories at lower levels before signing a premium contract without competing in the Contender Series or *The Ultimate Fighter*. Despite a shaky debut against Elisha Ellison, Steveson entered the Sharaf fight as a heavy underdog, with odds as long as -2700, reflecting his rapid rise and the high expectations surrounding him.

Jones drew parallels to Georges St-Pierre’s early struggles, noting that even legendary fighters face knockouts and setbacks, and stressed that Steveson is focused on recovery and improvement with a strong support team behind him. The loss also sparked controversy, as Sharaf’s pre-fight remarks—including calling Steveson a ‘rapist’—garnered applause from fans, referencing a 2019 arrest (later dismissed by prosecutors) involving Steveson and teammate Dylan Martinez.

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