Gable Steveson speaks out after UFC 331 loss and addresses past allegations

The Olympic wrestling champion called his 12-second defeat to Sean Sharaf a mistake and denied college-era sexual assault allegations in a statement released Tuesday.

Gable Steveson has issued his first public comments since suffering the first loss of his professional MMA career. In a statement released Tuesday through his manager, Abe Kawa, the Olympic wrestling champion addressed his 12-second defeat to Sean Sharaf at UFC 331, an outcome that ranks as the biggest betting upset in UFC history.

Steveson described the finish as a mistake on his part and congratulated his opponent. Drawing on his amateur wrestling background, he said past setbacks had pushed him to the top of that sport and predicted the loss would drive a similar response in MMA. He wrote that he will be great and that the defeat will not deny him.

The statement also addressed sexual assault allegations from a 2019 incident during his college years, which resurfaced during fight week after being raised by his opponent. Steveson denied the allegations and said he was never charged with a crime and that the matter was dropped by the district attorney.

Steveson said the claims were thoroughly reviewed and that he cooperated with law enforcement and a separate Title IX review, resulting in no criminal charges, no conviction, and no finding of responsibility. He said there is no pending legal issue involving him.

Going forward, Steveson said his focus will remain on his wife, his young daughter, his family, and his work.