The UFC 331 commentary team was critical of Gable Steveson after his 12-second knockout loss to Sean Sharaf.
The fight was a first for both competitors: the first UFC win for Sharaf and the first loss of Steveson's professional career. The commentary team of Jon Anik, Daniel Cormier, and Joe Rogan criticized Steveson following the result.
Cormier was most critical of Steveson for leaving the cage before the official result was read.
"Look, I think Gable made some mistakes in there," Cormier said on the UFC 331 post-fight show. "You're a 4-0 fighter. Wrestle. You have to – and also, you stand there, and you take your lick whenever you lose. Let that man get his hand raised, and you stand there no matter how you feel."
Cormier continued, referencing
how he handled his own heartbreaking loss to Jon Jones at UFC 214, which has since been overturned to a no contest due to Jones' failed drug test. Even in a heated, bitter rivalry, Cormier stayed for the official result after being knocked out.
"If you're concussed, cry!" Cormier said. "I did it! I mean, sh*t. It's the truth. You take your lick whenever – you cannot be a great winner, but then an ungrateful loser. I think that was bad by Steveson."
Daniel Cormier commented on Gable Steveson leaving the Octagon before the hand raise:
— UFC on Paramount+ (@UFConParamount) September 20, 2026
"You let that man get his hand raised, and you stand there no matter how you feel... You cannot be a great winner, but then an ungrateful loser."
📺 @paramountplus pic.twitter.com/ygOMLAVMfG
Coincidentally, Steveson is now coached by Jones, who was stunned by the fight's outcome. Cormier believes that, moving forward, Steveson has to learn from this result and understand that Jones can only do so much for him from cageside.
"It's also one thing about being surrounded by someone great," Cormier said. "Gable is surrounded by Jon Jones, and that's Jon Jones' greatness. He has got to secure greatness as he did in wrestling, in fighting on his own. This is a whole new journey for Gable Steveson, and I hope he recognizes and learns from this that it is a hard, hard job."
Rogan added to the criticism, suggesting that Steveson may have been caught up in the moment, coming into the fight as an undefeated fighter and a huge betting favorite at -2700 or higher. Anik did not make his own specific remarks during the post-fight show, but agreed with Cormier and Rogan's sentiments.
"I think the odds and the hype got to his head, and he thought he couldn't be beat," Rogan said. "He stood there, flat-footed, and Sean just uncorked a picture-perfect left hook. ... It was one of the greatest storybook, Cinderella story – it has to be, without a doubt, the biggest odds ever."
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Daniel Cormier, Joe Rogan critical of how Gable Steveson handled UFC 331 KO loss
