Jon Jones watches in stunned silence as protege Gable Steveson is knocked out in 12 seconds at UFC 331

Gable Steveson’s second UFC appearance ended in brutal fashion on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, as the Olympic gold medalist was knocked out in just 12 seconds by Sean Sharaf — a result that left his mentor Jon Jones crestfallen cageside.

Jones, the retired UFC heavyweight and light heavyweight champion, has taken Steveson under his wing since the decorated wrestling champion began his transition into MMA. He was in Steveson’s corner for the sophomore octagon outing and was caught on camera in stunned silence as the knockout landed.

Footage from ringside shows Jones visibly struggling to process what had just happened, uttering something unintelligible before falling quiet. He then exchanged a look with coach Greg Jackson, who leaned in to speak with him as Jones remained visibly shaken by the magnitude of the upset.

The loss is the first of Steveson’s young MMA career and raises serious questions about his readiness to compete at the top level of the heavyweight division. The speed of the finish — 12 seconds — offered no room for doubt about the result.

Making matters worse for Steveson, several fellow fighters took to social media to criticise him after cameras captured him leaving the octagon before Sharaf had even been officially announced as the winner, a moment that drew widespread backlash within the MMA community.

For Jones, who has invested considerable time and credibility in Steveson’s development, the defeat is a significant setback. The bond between the two has been well documented, and Saturday’s result will test both Steveson’s resolve and the mentorship that has defined his early career in the sport.