Daniel Cormier disagrees with those writing off Gable Steveson so early.
Steveson (4-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC) was a massive favorite when he was knocked out by Sean Sharaf in just 12 seconds at UFC 331 this past Saturday in Los Angeles. It was considered one of the biggest upsets in UFC history.
Cormier dismissed anyone assuming that Steveson's association with rival Jon Jones means he's not a fan of the Olympic gold medalist.
"I saw a lot of, 'Anything doing with Jon, Daniel hates, even Gable.' I love Gable," Cormier said on his YouTube channel. "I actually spoke to Gable on Sunday morning, after it happened. I don't hate Gable Steveson. I think Gable, the world of. He's an Olympic champion in the sport that I love. I watched him accomplish great things."
Despite the early setback in his career, Cormier still sees potential greatness in Steveson.
"To think that that result determines what his career looks like going forward, to me, that just seems so unfair and such a rush to judgment. Right now is the time for Gable to try to have that reset. He's got to reset. He's got to reset his mind. He's got to reset his approach because here's the thing that's going to be hard for Gable Steveson. He was at the very top of wrestling. There is nowhere you can go higher than Olympic champion.
"Josh Hokit was a wrestler, also. They started doing this around the same time, and Josh Hokit is fighting for the heavyweight championship. But Josh Hokit did not make the mistakes that Gable Steveson did in his earlier fights. Honestly, Josh Hokit ran to the fights. He's fought more, but he ran toward the fight. I think this was a massive learning lesson for Gable. ... I believe Gable Steveson is going to be OK. I really do. I really do. He's an amateur, he's young, but his time will come."
Cormier criticized Steveson for storming out of the octagon with Jon Jones before the outcome was read, but it was later brought to his attention that he didn't handle his loss well when he was knocked out by Jones at UFC 214. Jones revealed it was his idea to escort Steveson out early, but Cormier thinks he's just taking the heat for his protege.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Daniel Cormier: Gable Steveson's time will come, but 'he's got to reset his mind'
