Daniel Cormier strongly criticized Gable Steveson after his controversial exit at UFC 331. Now, old footage has put the former UFC champion under the spotlight himself.The Daniel Cormier Gable Steveson criticism took another turn after fans revisited Cormier’s UFC 214 loss. Cormier has now responded, explaining why he did not remember his own similar reaction.
Why Did Daniel Cormier Criticize Gable Steveson?
Gable Steveson 4-1-0 suffered his first professional MMA defeat against Sean Sharaf at UFC 331. Sharaf knocked him out with a left hand just 12 seconds into the opening round.
Steveson then left the Octagon before the official result announcement. Cormier criticized that decision and argued Steveson needed to accept the difficult moment. The loss itself became one of the biggest stories from the UFC 331 results.
Fans Point Out Cormier’s UFC 214 Reaction
Cormier’s comments quickly returned attention to his own loss against Jon Jones at UFC 214. Jones stopped Cormier with a third-round head kick and follow-up strikes.
Footage from that night showed Cormier also did not stand for the official result announcement. Fans circulated the clip and questioned whether his criticism of Steveson applied equally to his own reaction.
Cormier Says He Did Not Remember Doing It
Daniel Cormier 22-3-0, 1 NC responded after seeing the UFC 214 footage again. He admitted he did not realize he had reacted similarly after the knockout.
Cormier explained that he remembers nothing between Jones landing the kick and reaching the ambulance. He added that footage from those moments still feels unfamiliar when he sees it years later.
Why the UFC 214 Context Matters
Cormier’s second fight against Jones remains one of the defining moments of their rivalry. Jones initially won by knockout before the result changed to a no contest.
The California State Athletic Commission overturned the result after Jones tested positive for a banned substance. The complicated history behind their fights is covered further in SportsgoTec’s Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier rivalry.
Steveson’s UFC 331 Exit Drew Heavy Criticism
Steveson’s quick departure attracted attention beyond Cormier. Joe Rogan and several fighters also criticized his reaction after the defeat.
The criticism came after a difficult fight week and a stunning result. SportsgoTec previously covered the complete Gable Steveson UFC 331 loss and the events surrounding it.
Jon Jones Took Responsibility for Steveson’s Exit
Jon Jones later explained that he played a role in Steveson leaving the Octagon. Jones cornered the heavyweight prospect during the fight.
Jones said he wanted Steveson backstage after such a severe knockout. His explanation added important context to a decision that initially appeared to come entirely from Steveson.
Sean Sharaf Changed the Story in 12 Seconds
Sean Sharaf 5-2-0 entered UFC 331 as a massive underdog. He needed only 12 seconds to produce the biggest victory of his professional career.
A left hand dropped Steveson before the referee stopped the contest. The full finish and immediate aftermath are covered in SportsgoTec’s Sean Sharaf vs Gable Steveson UFC 331 results.
Cormier’s Response Changes the Conversation
Cormier did not deny that the UFC 214 footage looked similar. Instead, his response focused on how little he remembers after Jones knocked him out.
That detail changes the context around the comparison. Fighters can experience confusion and memory loss after severe knockouts, making immediate post-fight reactions difficult to judge without medical context.
What Comes Next for Gable Steveson?
Steveson’s defeat stopped the early momentum surrounding his UFC career. The Olympic wrestling champion entered the promotion with major expectations but now faces his first MMA setback.
At 26, he still has limited professional MMA experience despite his elite wrestling background. His development and possible response to the loss will determine the next chapter of his UFC heavyweight career.
Final Thoughts
The Daniel Cormier Gable Steveson criticism has developed into a wider discussion about post-knockout behavior. Cormier initially criticized Steveson’s decision to leave before the official announcement.
Old footage then showed Cormier experiencing a similar moment after UFC 214. His response provided important context, as he says he cannot remember the period immediately following the knockout.
FAQs
Why did Daniel Cormier criticize Gable Steveson?
Cormier criticized Steveson for leaving the Octagon before the official decision announcement following his UFC 331 knockout loss.
Why did fans call Daniel Cormier hypocritical?
Fans resurfaced footage from UFC 214 showing Cormier also absent from the official decision announcement after his loss to Jon Jones.
What did Daniel Cormier say about the UFC 214 footage?
Cormier said he did not remember reacting that way. He explained that he has no memory between the knockout and reaching the ambulance.
What happened to Gable Steveson at UFC 331?
Sean Sharaf knocked out Steveson with a left hand just 12 seconds into their heavyweight fight.
Did Jon Jones explain why Steveson left the Octagon?
Yes. Jones said he was responsible for taking Steveson backstage because he wanted to check on him after the knockout.
