Jon Jones claims responsibility for Gable Steveson's post-KO Octagon exit at UFC 331

Jon Jones has stepped forward to accept responsibility for the controversy surrounding Gable Steveson’s abrupt exit from the Octagon at UFC 331 in Los Angeles on September 19, where Steveson was knocked out by Sean Sharaf in just 12 seconds.

Jones, who was working Steveson’s corner, escorted his protégé backstage before Sharaf received his official hand raise — a breach of Octagon etiquette that drew widespread criticism online. The former two-division champion addressed the backlash directly in a post on X, insisting the decision was entirely his own.

“I’ve seen some reports online and I really wanted to clear the air,” Jones wrote. “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.”

The 12-second knockout represented a stunning upset in Steveson’s second UFC appearance. The 23-year-old Olympic gold medallist in freestyle wrestling had been considered a significant prospect in the heavyweight division, making the swift defeat and the subsequent exit all the more scrutinised.

Despite the setback, Jones expressed firm belief in Steveson’s long-term potential. “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 added. “He will be back I’m sure of it.”

By publicly absorbing the criticism, Jones has sought to shield Steveson from further fallout while acknowledging that the post-fight protocol was mishandled. Whether the UFC takes any formal action over the incident remains to be seen, but Jones’s statement appears aimed at drawing a line under the controversy and refocusing attention on Steveson’s recovery and development.