Daniel Cormier, Joe Rogan criticize Gable Steveson's behavior after UFC 331 loss

2 sources2 min read • Latest: Sep 22, 2026, 7:30 PM

Last updated Sep 22, 2026

Daniel Cormier, Joe Rogan criticize Gable Steveson's behavior after UFC 331 loss
Summary

At UFC 331, Gable Steveson suffered a knockout loss, ending his undefeated streak. Following the fight, analysts Daniel Cormier and Joe Rogan pointed to Steveson's reaction as ungracious, indicating that he still has much to learn in the sport. Steveson had been considered a future heavyweight contender before this defeat. The incident has sparked conversation regarding athlete conduct in defeat and what is expected as part of sportsmanship.

Source Links
By the Numbers
  • Gable Steveson loses by knockout at UFC 331.
  • Daniel Cormier and Joe Rogan share criticisms about Steveson's reaction.
  • Steveson was previously regarded as a promising heavyweight prospect.
  • The event occurred on September 20, 2026.
Latest Updates
  • 7:30 PMMMA FightingDaniel Cormier responds to hypocrisy criticism after ripping Gable Steveson for bad sportsmanship at UFC 331
  • 12:00 PMMMA FightingDaniel Cormier, Joe Rogan criticize ‘ungrateful loser’ Gable Steveson for behavior after knockout loss at UFC 331 - mmafighting.com
What they're saying
"

Daniel Cormier | Chris Unger, Zuffa LLC Daniel Cormier got called out for his criticism of Gable Steveson. This past weekend, Steveson fought for the second time in the UFC, getting knocked out by Sean Sharaf in 12 seconds at UFC 331. Given Steveson’s disrespectful posture before the fight, the MMA community did not go easy on the Olympic gold medalist, especially when Steveson left the cage following his loss, declining to stay for the official decision, as is customary. Cormier, Joe Rogan, and others ripped Steveson for being an “ungrateful loser”, with Cormier specifically saying Steveson should sit there and take his lumps as he did; but there’s one problem: Cormier didn’t exactly do that. Various MMA social media accounts (h/t Combat Wire MMA) were quick to pull footage of Cormier’s knockout loss to Jon Jones at UFC 214 (later overturned to a no-contest after Jones failed a drug test), where a despondent Cormier refused to stand for the decision. Daniel Cormier to Gable Steveson: "You let that man get his hand raised, and you stand there no matter how you feel. You can't be a great winner and then an ungrateful loser." Meanwhile, DC: 😭#UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/CupGVLVJa6 — Combat Wire (@CombatWireMMA) September 21, 2026 On Tuesday, Cormier responded to the backlash, saying he didn’t even realize he’d done the same thing he chastised Steveson for. “Wait I did that? “Honestly this is what I mean when I say I remember nothing from after the kick landed until I got into the ambulance and 9 years later I still can’t find the memory. Every time I see something from that night post knockout it’s the first time I’ve seen it. That’s crazy.” In response to the controversy around Steveson’s exit, Jones, his coach and mentor, took responsibility for the decision, saying he simply wanted to get Steveson backstage to check on him. Steveson himself is yet to comment on the loss or controversy.

"

Daniel Cormier and Joe Rogan agree that Gable Steveson still has a lot to learn and he showed that with his reaction to his knockout loss at UFC 331.

Related Teams & Leagues

Sources

External links

Original reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.

Related Stories

Last 14 days