{
  "id": 11450916,
  "title": "Coach: Gable Steveson trying to fight a little bit too much like Jon Jones",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/coach-gable-steveson-trying-to-fight-a-little-bit-too-much-like-jon",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-02T13:40:20.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/coach-gable-steveson-trying-fight-134020211.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Gable Steveson, making his MMA debut with a 4-1 record and 1-1 in the UFC, faced a swift defeat at UFC 331 in Los Angeles. His opponent, Sean Sharaf, secured a swift knockout victory within a mere 12 seconds, marking an extraordinary upset in the sport's history. This event has garnered significant attention, with one coach expressing his observations on Steveson's fighting style.\n\nEric Nicksick, who was last-minute added to Sharaf's corner, shared his insights on Steveson's approach and potential improvements. Having witnessed the match from the sidelines, Nicksick believes Steveson is eager to reclaim his footing in the octagon. The Xtreme Couture head coach, who himself is an Olympian, praises Steveson's competitors and coaches, including Brandon Gibson, Greg Jackson, and Jon Jones - one of the greatest fighters of all time.\n\nHowever, Nicksick points out that Gable might be overemphasizing his striking and trying to emulate Jon Jones's style, mirroring his length and reach. Given Steveson's unique physique and fighting style, Nicksick suggests that focusing more on his strengths could be more beneficial in the long run. He proposes that Steveson may benefit from adjusting his strategy to cater to his body type, which would allow him to leverage his strengths more effectively.\n\nDespite advice from athletes like Henry Cejudo to take a break and focus on his striking, Nicksick remains confident in Steveson's ability to adapt and succeed. The coach suggests that if his team takes prompt action, Steveson will be well-prepared for future bouts.",
  "summary": "Eric Nicksick wants to see Gable Steveson form his own style away from his mentor.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}