Steveson breaks silence on sexual assault allegations after 12-second UFC 331 knockout

Gable Steveson broke his silence on Tuesday with a prepared statement following his 12-second knockout loss to Sean Sharaf at UFC 331, addressing not the defeat itself but the sexual assault allegations his opponent had repeatedly raised in the days before their fight.

In 2019, Steveson was arrested on sexual misconduct charges while competing at the University of Minnesota. He has consistently maintained his innocence, and the charges were eventually dropped by the district attorney due to what was described as “inadequate evidence.” Steveson was released without facing any criminal penalty. The allegations resurfaced during UFC 331 fight week when Sharaf repeatedly called Steveson “a rapist” and “loophole” in public, prompting the 2020 Olympic gold medalist to respond directly.

“I did not do anything alleged,” Steveson wrote. “I was never charged with a crime and the matter was ultimately dropped by the district attorney. The allegations were not ignored nor brushed aside. They were thoroughly and heavily reviewed as I fully cooperated with law enforcement, including a separate Title IX review.”

Steveson also noted that his own legal team conducted an independent investigation and stated on the record that the outcome would have been the same even under changed laws. “There were no criminal charges, no conviction, and no finding of responsibility against me,” he added. “The matter was closed and there is no pending legal issue involving me.”

The statement was addressed to family, friends, and supporters rather than critics. “I know there are people who will never support me, no matter what I say or do,” Steveson wrote. “That’s their choice. But I’m speaking to the people who know me not just as an athlete but as a husband and a father to a young daughter.”

On the fight itself, Steveson acknowledged the loss briefly. “As for my opponent, congratulations, you caught me,” he wrote, conceding that a mistake on his part contributed to the result.

Steveson said his focus going forward would remain on his wife, daughter, and family. The knockout at UFC 331 was his first-ever loss inside the octagon.