Jon Jones Says He's To Blame For Gable Steveson's Abrupt UFC 331 Exit

Jon Jones says the decision to rush Gable Steveson backstage immediately after his shocking 12-second knockout loss to Sean Sharaf at UFC 331 was his own, not Steveson's.

"I've seen some reports online, and I really wanted to clear the air. It was my decision to take Gable straight to the back after the fight. Honestly, it was the first time in this situation for me, and my instant reaction was to get my friend to the back to make sure he was ok. Gable's work ethic and will to win is there, and I stand by him and believe he will go on to be one of the best heavyweights in the UFC. He will be back; I'm sure of it," Jones

Steveson entered the fight as a heavy favorite following a knockout win in his UFC debut at UFC 329, but was finished almost immediately by Sharaf, drawing criticism from fighters like Daniel Cormier for leaving the Octagon without acknowledging the win.