Matt Brown isn’t giving up on Gable Steveson but questions if he has the right people guiding him: ‘Jon Jones is not the way’

Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson's UFC debut has turned turbulent following a devastating 12-second knockout loss to Sean Sharaf at a Los Angeles event on Saturday—his second appearance in the organization. The quick finish and Steveson's immediate exit from the octagon without acknowledging his opponent drew criticism, with UFC legend Jon Jones taking responsibility for hurrying Steveson out of the cage.

Retired UFC welterweight Matt Brown weighed in on the fallout, telling The Fighter vs. The Writer podcast that while the loss itself is recoverable—pointing out that champions like Georges St-Pierre and Demetrious Johnson have been knocked out—the surrounding circumstances raised concerns about Steveson's support system. Brown questioned whether Jones is the right guide for Steveson at this stage of his MMA career, noting that the 26-year-old's week leading into the fight included high-profile activities like arriving in luxury vehicles on Hollywood Boulevard, which may have fostered overconfidence.

"Jon Jones trying to teach him to be Jon Jones is not the way," Brown said, adding that Steveson needs coaches who will hold him accountable rather than "pander to him." Brown criticized Jones, Greg Jackson, and Mike Winkeljohn for hugging Steveson on his way out instead of instructing him to return and show respect to his opponent.

Despite the setback, Brown retained faith in Steveson's potential to become a heavyweight champion, contingent on finding better coaching and rekindling genuine hunger for competition. Brown questioned whether MMA represents Steveson's true passion after stints in WWE and the NFL, or merely another venture. With the right motivation and guidance, Brown believes Steveson can rebound and eventually dominate the heavyweight division. The former welterweight emphasized that this week served as a crucial lesson for Steveson across fighting, marketing, personality, and public relations—areas where the fighter's handling of adversity fell short.