Jon Jones says he escorted Gable Steveson backstage after 12-second KO defeat at UFC 331

Jon Jones has accepted responsibility for taking Gable Steveson out of the octagon immediately after Steveson’s knockout loss to Sean Sharaf at UFC 331 in Los Angeles on Saturday. Jones said he acted to get his friend to the back to make sure he was okay.

Steveson, 26, entered the fight with a 4-0 record and was described in the report as a massive +2500 favorite. He suffered his first professional defeat when Sharaf dropped him with a left hook just 12 seconds into the bout, a finish recorded as the third-fastest knockout in UFC heavyweight history. The fight took place at UFC 331 in Los Angeles.

Before the official decision was announced, Steveson and his team left the octagon and headed back to the dressing room while the Los Angeles crowd loudly booed their exit. The move also drew negative response from the broadcast commentary, according to reports and video shared from the event.

Jones addressed the situation on X after reports began circulating about Steveson’s early departure from the octagon and posted: "I’ve seen some reports on line and I really wanted to clear the air. It was my decision to take Gable straight to the back after the fight, Honestly it was the first time in this situation for me and my instant reaction was to get my friend to the back to make sure he was ok." Jones wrote.

The former UFC champion added a public show of support for Steveson, writing: "Gable’s work ethic and will to win is there and I stand by him and believe he will go on to be one of the best heavyweights in the UFC. He will be back I’m sure of it," Jones added. The result was widely described as an upset, with another line in the report stating Steveson was heavily favored with his odds listed at approximately -2400 at the time of the fight.

Steveson had little opportunity to respond before the left hook ended the contest, and the defeat leaves him with a professional record of 4-1-0. Sharaf improved to 5-2-0.