Daniel Cormier addresses criticism after commenting on Gable Steveson's UFC exit
Former champion Daniel Cormier said he was unaware he had repeated the same behavior he criticized Olympic wrestler Gable Steveson for, after the latter left the cage following a knockout loss at UFC 331.
Gable Steveson was knocked out by Sean Sharaf in 12 seconds at UFC 331 and left the cage before the official decision was announced, prompting criticism from several figures in the MMA community. Former UFC champion Daniel Cormier and podcast host Joe Rogan called Steveson an "ungrateful loser" and said he should have stayed to receive the decision.
Social media users highlighted a past incident in which Cormier, after being knocked out by Jon Jones at UFC 214, also refused to stand for the decision, a bout later changed to a no-contest after Jones failed a drug test.
Cormier responded to the backlash on Tuesday, stating he had not realized he had acted similarly. > "Wait I did that?" he said, adding that he could not recall the moments after the knockout and that each replay of the fight was his first viewing of the incident.
Jon Jones, who coached Steveson, said he had intended to check on the wrestler backstage and took responsibility for the decision to move him. Steveson has not yet commented on the loss or the surrounding controversy.