TLDR
- Gable Steveson was knocked out in 12 seconds at UFC 331 despite being a minus-3000 favorite
- Joe Rogan questioned whether Jon Jones gave Steveson too much confidence before the fight
- Josh Hokit publicly criticized Jones following Steveson’s defeat
- Steveson is a two-time NCAA champion and Olympic gold medalist in wrestling
- No return date has been announced for Steveson’s next UFC appearance
Sources: yardbarker.com | thebodylockmma.com
Joe Rogan questioned whether Jon Jones gave Gable Steveson a false sense of confidence before the Olympic wrestler’s shocking 12-second knockout loss at UFC 331. Steveson entered his bout against Sean Sharaf in Los Angeles as a minus-3000 favorite but was knocked out cold in the opening exchange.
The two-time NCAA champion and Olympic gold medalist had Jones in his corner for the fight. Despite his elite wrestling credentials, Steveson fell victim to one of 2026’s biggest upsets in the sport.
🚨JOE ROGAN AND SEAN SHARAF AGREE: JON JONES IS THE GOAT 🐐🔥
🗣️ “He is the GOAT. It is crazy. It is wild. When you look at what he did to Ciryl Gane, Ciryl Gane is a scary guy — very talented, athletic and dangerous. And Jon Jones just walked in there and finished him like it… pic.twitter.com/mWkXQtNqtD
— FightLuck (@FightluckBet) October 1, 2026
Rogan Discusses the Upset on His Podcast
Rogan addressed the issue directly on his podcast with Sharaf as a guest. “That’s the problem, you’re hanging out with a guy who’s the GOAT and you start thinking you’re the next guy,” Rogan said.
The UFC commentator warned about the dangers of believing in success before earning it. “You might be. You could be, if you do the right things. But if you believe it before it happens? You have to be cautious but also confident,” Rogan told Sharaf.
Rogan praised Sharaf for delivering one of the year’s signature upsets. He said the finish elevated the entire sport.
The commentator had considered Steveson a potential all-time great based on his Olympic gold medal. Rogan pointed to the historical success of elite wrestlers like Daniel Cormier in MMA as reason for his high expectations.
Training Camp Criticism Emerges
Josh Hokit, who has connections to Steveson’s training camp, also publicly criticized Jones following the UFC 331 defeat. The nature of Hokit’s criticism suggests he believes Jones played a role in Steveson’s preparation or performance.
The public complaints from both Rogan and Hokit have raised questions about the training environment. Such disputes are not uncommon in combat sports but can create tension within training camps.
Steveson won the gold medal in the 125-kilogram freestyle wrestling category at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. He also captured two NCAA Division I national championships while competing for the University of Minnesota.
The UFC signed Steveson in 2021, making him one of the most decorated wrestlers to join the promotion. His signing generated excitement due to his potential to become a dominant force in the heavyweight division.
Steveson now faces questions about whether he will rebuild his career or walk away. He previously left both the NFL and WWE before committing to MMA.
Opponents will no longer be distracted by his credentials or the presence of Jones in his corner. Steveson will be forced to prove himself on skill alone moving forward.
The transition from wrestling to MMA has proven challenging for many elite wrestlers. While wrestling provides a strong foundation, fighters must develop striking, submissions, and other skills for success.
Previous wrestling champions who transitioned to MMA have experienced varying levels of success. Some, like Daniel Cormier and Henry Cejudo, became UFC champions, while others struggled to adapt.
Steveson’s loss does not necessarily signal the end of his MMA career. Many fighters have rebounded from early setbacks to achieve success in the sport.
No date has been announced for Steveson’s return to the octagon.
