Gable Steveson Explains Stance in Sean Sharaf Faceoff

On the eve of UFC 331, Gable Steveson caught fans' attention by refusing to directly face off with Sean Sharaf during the press confrontation. The gesture, explained as part of a "Jon Jones protocol," sparked curiosity about the Olympic wrestler's strategy in his MMA debut.

What motivated Steveson's decision

During fight week in Los Angeles, exchanges between Steveson and Sharaf heightened tensions. At the final press conference, the heavyweight prospect turned his back on his opponent, a gesture he attributed to guidance received from Jon Jones, widely considered one of the greatest fighters in history.

How the "Jon Jones protocol" was applied

Steveson told journalist Aaron Bronsteter, following the ceremonial weigh-ins, that he spoke with Jones about his stance before taking the stage. He stated that the idea was to take away the credibility of an intense stare-down, making it clear that respect must be earned inside the Octagon, not beforehand.

Steveson's own reaction

The Olympic athlete described the situation as "nothing personal" and emphasized that he wasn't bothered by the trash talk. For him, the focus remains on moving forward without allowing potential disagreements to stall his progress in his new career.

Long-term vision in the UFC

In an interview with CBS Sports, Steveson emphasized that he views UFC 331 as one step within a calculated process, comparing his journey to that of a college football player who avoids rushing things. He highlighted that, despite having already won an Olympic gold medal and two NCAA titles, he is still learning MMA and prefers to develop skills like knees, spinning elbows, and kicks gradually.

Potential future impacts

By choosing to follow a more patient path, Steveson signals that he does not intend to pursue a title immediately, even amid recent shifts in the heavyweight division, such as Ciryl Gane being elevated to undisputed champion. The athlete also mentioned that, if given the opportunity, he will carefully weigh business considerations before moving into high-risk fights.

With information from Bloody Elbow, CBS Sports.