Dana White and Daniel Cormier React to Gable Steveson’s UFC 331 Loss

Gable Steveson’s UFC 331 debut against Sean Sharaf ended in one of the most unexpected results of the night, and the Olympic gold medalist quickly found himself facing another wave of attention over what happened after the fight.

Steveson entered the heavyweight contest at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on September 19 as one of the most heavily favored fighters on the card. Instead of extending his unbeaten professional record, the highly regarded wrestling star was knocked out by Sharaf in only 12 seconds.

The result was a major upset. Steveson had been listed as a massive betting favorite, while Sharaf entered the contest as a substantial underdog. The fight ended almost as soon as it began when Sharaf connected with a decisive combination that sent Steveson to the canvas.

The defeat was the first professional loss of Steveson’s MMA career and dropped his record to 4-1. It also ended a run in which his first four professional opponents had all failed to defeat him.

Dana White Responds to Steveson’s Stunning Defeat

UFC CEO Dana White was asked about the shocking result following UFC 331.

Rather than treating the outcome as evidence that Steveson’s MMA career was finished, White emphasized the unpredictable nature of combat sports. He pointed out that anything can happen once two fighters enter the Octagon, regardless of their records or betting lines.

White had previously expressed reservations about projecting Steveson as a future UFC champion before the former Olympic wrestling star had faced more difficult competition.

The UFC executive also addressed the controversy that followed the knockout when Steveson left the cage before the official result announcement.

White did not appear particularly concerned about the decision. He noted that fighters have occasionally reacted emotionally after difficult defeats and referenced former UFC champion Forrest Griffin as another example of a fighter leaving the Octagon early after a loss.

White’s response contrasted with the criticism Steveson received from several fighters and fans following the incident.

Daniel Cormier Criticizes Gable Steveson’s Cage Exit

Daniel Cormier took a different view of Steveson’s post-fight actions.

Cormier, a former UFC two-division champion and Olympic wrestling medalist, criticized Steveson for leaving the Octagon before Sharaf received the official result and recognition for his victory.

Cormier’s criticism centered on sportsmanship. From his perspective, Steveson should have remained in the cage long enough to acknowledge Sharaf’s victory and allow the winner to receive his moment.

Cormier reportedly described Steveson as an “ungrateful loser,” adding to the criticism surrounding the heavyweight prospect’s reaction. Other fighters also expressed disappointment with the decision to leave the cage immediately after the knockout.

The criticism became almost as prominent as the result itself because of Steveson’s background.

Before entering MMA, Steveson had already established himself as one of the most successful American wrestlers of his generation. He won an Olympic gold medal at the Tokyo Games and captured two NCAA Division I wrestling championships.

That résumé helped create enormous expectations when he transitioned into professional MMA.

Sean Sharaf Produces a Career-Defining Upset

For Sharaf, the victory represented the biggest win of his professional career.

The heavyweight entered UFC 331 as a major underdog, but he needed only seconds to change the trajectory of his career. His fast combination caught Steveson before the wrestling standout could establish his offense.

Sharaf’s victory was particularly significant because Steveson’s previous professional fights had ended quickly. The former collegiate wrestling champion had not previously been forced to deal with serious adversity inside an MMA fight.

At UFC 331, that changed almost immediately.

Sharaf’s victory demonstrated one of the defining realities of heavyweight MMA: a fight can change with a single exchange. Even a highly decorated athlete with an exceptional wrestling background can be stopped before his skill set has an opportunity to become a factor.

What Comes Next for Gable Steveson?

Despite the loss, Steveson’s MMA career is still in its early stages.

He is only 26 years old and has competed in just five professional MMA fights. The defeat exposed areas of his game that will likely need attention, but it does not erase his wrestling accomplishments or his physical potential.

The bigger question is how Steveson responds.

His first four MMA victories created considerable momentum, while the UFC 331 defeat provided his first experience of losing under the bright lights of the UFC.

The reaction afterward has added another layer to the story. Cormier and other fighters criticized his decision to leave early, while White offered a more understanding response.

For Steveson, the next phase of his career will likely be defined by what happens after the setback rather than the 12-second defeat itself.

The UFC 331 loss was a dramatic interruption to the hype surrounding one of MMA’s most recognizable crossover prospects. Whether it becomes a temporary setback or a turning point will depend on how Steveson rebuilds from the first defeat of his professional fighting career.