Daniel Cormier Explains Himself After Gable Steveson UFC 331 Exit Sparks Hypocrisy Claims

Gable Steveson's knockout loss at UFC 331, a shock result that came just 12 seconds into the fight, drew criticism not just for the outcome, but also for his immediate exit from the cage. Steveson, the reigning Olympic champion, entered the bout a heavy favorite, but his abrupt departure sparked debates about his sportsmanship. After regaining consciousness, he bypassed the customary result announcement, heading straight for the arena exit with Jon Jones in tow.

Despite Bruce Buffer declaring Steveson the loser, Jones faced the blame for escorting his opponent out. In response, the UFC Hall of Famer accused Steveson of being a sore loser, drawing backlash from Jones and others. Daniel Cormier's criticism of Steveson for not showing grace after a loss, however, echoed his own behavior in a prior fight.

In 2017, Cormier left the Octagon after being knocked out by Jon Jones at UFC 214, refusing to stick around for the post-fight ceremony. He was eventually brought back by Dana White and UFC management. However, Cormier later admitted that he had no memory of leaving the cage after Jones' knockout, expressing confusion over the incident, stating, "Wait, I did that?

Every time I see something from that night post-knockout, it’s the first time I’ve seen it. That’s crazy." This admission highlights the challenge of recalling events immediately following such a severe knockout blow.