Gable Steveson boos and accusations hang over burgeoning UFC career - USA Today

Gable Steveson is a heavy favorite headed into the second fight of his UFC career, a 26-year-old potential star in the heavyweight division and, in another respect, facing an uncertain future.

Will Steveson always be viewed as a UFC villain?

The possibility surfaced this week when fans booed him loudly during a public press conference to promote UFC 331 Saturday, Sept. 19 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. His upcoming opponent, Sean Shafar, called Steveson a “rapist" and fans at the press conference could be heard doing the same.

Steveson, an Olympic gold medalist and two-time NCAA Division I All-American wrestler, smiled during what looked to be an uncomfortable situation as he confronted past controversy.

In June 2019, while Steveson was a star wrestler at the University of Minnesota, he and a teammate were arrested on suspicion of criminal sexual conduct. Five months later a prosecutor announced Steveson and the other wrestler would not face criminal charges due to “inadequate evidence."

The prosecutor, Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman, held a press conference. Among other things, Freeman noted that Minnesota laws at the time restricted how prosecutors could handle cases when the alleged victim had voluntarily consumed alcohol. “The 2020 legislature should seriously consider making changes to the sexual assault statute this spring."

The so-called loophole was closed by Minnesota lawmakers in 2021.

At one point during press conference on Thursday, during a back-and-forth exchange with Steveson, Sharaf said, “OK, Loophole."

It's a nickname that's been used on social media to attack Steveson, and it drew cheers when invoked by Shafar.

“That’s a great name," Steveson replied to Sharaf, a former U.S. Marine from Southern Calif. “I see a lot of people cheering, but we'll see how many people cheer when he gets flatlined Saturday night."

Steveson was smiling, and he smiled again as he walked off the stage and flipped off booing fans.

The UFC signed Steveson to a contract in April, and the announcement was made later that month during the Paramount+ livestream UFC 327. The cameras showed Steveson sitting next to Jon Jones, the legendary UFC fighter who has become Steveson’s mentor.

Steveson, who is 5-foot-11 and 240 pounds, looks like he belongs in the heavyweight division. But other wrestlers have flopped while trying to make the transition to the UFC.

Steveson was 3-0 with three first-round knockouts before he made his UFC debut against Elisha Ellison in the preliminary fights.

He knocked out Ellison in impressive fashion. His second fight, against Sharfar, was scheduled for the preliminary bouts as well on the UFC 331 card. But Steveson’s fight with Sharaf was moved onto the main card this week after another fight was canceled. It was the only reason Steveson, like all of the other fighters on the main card, was at the press conference – and in the line of fire.

Sharaf, who is 4-2, was knocked out in each of his UFC fights. But Sharaf, who on Instagram proudly notes he is a a former Marine of Palestinian descent, has not held back during the promotion for UFC 331.

Nina-Marie Danielle, the UFC content creator better known as Nina Drama, did multiple collaborations with Steveson and none with Sharaf.

“This is like the 4th collab they do with him,’’ Sharaf wrote on Instagram. “What’s up with that UFC? Guess Marines aren’t worthy of interviews just rapists.’’

The day after the press conference where Steveson was booed, the UFC posted on social media footage of Steveson working out in front of a crowd at a gym in the Los Angeles area and greeting actor Chris Pratt with a hug.

During the Tokyo Olympics, Steveson won a gold medal and, at 21, became the youngest freestyle wrestler to win the super heavyweight division. He did it with a last-second victory over Geno Petriashvili of Georgia.

About a month later, the mayor in Steveson’s hometown of Apple Valley, Minnesota proclaimed it Gable Steveson Day. Soon after he signed a multi-year deal with the WWE.

In 2023, after making non-wrestling appearances, Steveson made his in-ring wrestling debut. He fought Baron Corbin, characterized as a villain and anti-hero. Yet Steveson was heavily booed, according to the Minnesota Star.

According to the Star Tribune, fans chanted "You're not Angle!" Kurt Angle, who signed with the WWE after winning an Olympic gold in freestyle wrestling at the 1996 Summer Games, became a pro wrestling star.

There were no reports of fans targeting for the allegations of sexual assault.

In 2024, the WWE released Steveson.

There were no audible boos during the Paramount+ livestream of UFC 329 when Steveson made his UFC debut. In fact, the crowd cheered as he battered Ellison with a series of blows before knocking him out – the fourth straight knockout of his young mixed martial arts career.

During an in-ring interview with Joe Rogan after that fight, Steveson said of his debut, “It’s fun. It’s a big stage. So many cool people watching.’’

He also said “time will tell" in determining where he stands in the heavyweight division.

“I’m a great athlete,’’ Steveson added. “I’m a great person. I go out there and do special things, as you can see.’’