Usman Nurmagomedov says Gable Steveson is still too inexperienced.
Steveson (4-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC) was on the losing end of a massive upset when he was knocked out by Sean Sharaf in just 12 seconds at UFC 331
this past Saturday at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. PFL lightweight champion Nurmagomedov (22-0), who could be UFC bound after fighting out his contract, stressed the importance of having an extensive amateur career."He's an Olympic champion, but not in MMA, isn't he?" Nurmagomedov told Red Corner MMA of Steveson. "He's got no amateur experience, but as we all know, you have to have amateur experience as a fighter. One hundred fights at least. You have to feel it out, that stage, the MMA stage.
"And again, the very first punch landed, he didn't
feel the distance. Yes, he's a good wrestler, an Olympic-level wrestler, but he's not a fighter nor a striker. But that is mixed martial arts, right? That includes everything. I wish him well, speedy recovery and future success. This is MMA. This kind of thing happens here."
Nurmagomedov took a dig at Jon Jones, who was left stunned in Steveson's corner by the shocking outcome. Nurmagomedov reacted after Jones celebrated Song Yadong's knockout win over his brother, Umar Nurmagomedov, at UFC Shanghai last month.
Usman Nurmagomedov dissed Jon Jones after Gable Steveson got knocked out 😬
— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) September 22, 2026
🗣️ “You know what a boomerang is, Jon? Shit happens. Good luck to your boyfriend in the future!”
Jon previously celebrated when Umar got KO’d and took shots at Islam Makhachev pic.twitter.com/5LA9AUjidF
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Nurmagomedov: Gable Steveson an Olympic champion, 'but he's not a fighter'
