Jon Anik doesn't see a long UFC future for Gable Steveson.
Steveson (4-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC) suffered a shocking upset loss when he was knocked out in just 12 seconds by Sean Sharaf at UFC 331. The Olympic gold medalist wrestler was a massive -2500 favorite over Sharaf (5-2 MMA, 1-2 UFC).
UFC's play-by-play commentator Anik isn't sure how Steveson bounces back from such a devastating loss.
"Gable is now having to deal with an experience that a lot of athletes on his level just haven't had to deal with," Anik told Submission Radio. "It's one thing if maybe he got knocked out late in this fight, and even with the Reinier de Ridder-Bo Nickal fight, it did go into a second round. This dude got flatlined and knocked out in 12 seconds. So how do you regroup?
I think he leans on everything mentally, physically, and his God-given talent that has gotten him to this position.
"I still believe if Gable Steveson gets to 10 UFC fights, he's going to realize a ton of success. But after his UFC debut, which went well, I went on our podcast, I said over-under 10 UFC fights for Gable. I'm not sure he actually gets to 10 fights. This is an appreciable setback. So I'm as curious as anybody to see how he responds from this, but it's a big deal, and this is not the easiest thing from which to come back."
Steveson was criticized for exiting the octagon early – something his mentor Jon Jones took responsibility for. The 26-year-old released a statement after the fight vowing that this setback won't deny him from greatness.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Jon Anik unsure Gable Steveson reaches 10 UFC fights after 'appreciable setback'
