Daniel Cormier has defended his behavior after being knocked out by Jon Jones in light of his recent criticisms.
On Saturday night, Gable Steveson came in for heavy critiques from fans after opting to leave the octagon before his 12-second loss to Sean Sharaf was made official. The pair had shared an ugly build-up, and Steveson was already in the back by the time Sharaf’s hand was being raised.
What would your advice be to Gable Steveson after UFC 331?
Sean Sharaf knocked out the Olympic gold medalist in 12 seconds.
One of his most outspoken critics was former two-weight world champion Cormier, who believes you should always stand next to your opponent as the decision is read. However, some fans felt this was a hypocritical take given that the Louisiana native didn’t stand next to Jones after his loss at UFC 214.
Daniel Cormier defends his position after UFC 214 footage released
It has been a long time since the MMA community came together in celebration of a fighter’s defeat like Gable Steveson. The Olympic gold medal-winning wrestler has proven wildly unpopular since making the switch to the UFC earlier this year following a minimal regional career.
When Steveson was defeated – by one of the biggest underdogs in UFC history nonetheless – fans were delighted with the result. He didn’t handle the defeat all that graciously as he opted to get out of the cage immediately instead of waiting for Bruce Buffer’s announcement.
Daniel Cormier branded him a ‘sore loser’ saying on the Paramount broadcast after the fight: “You stand there and you take your lick whenever you lose. You let that man get his hand raised and you stand there no matter how you feel.
“If you’re concussed, cry, I did. You take your lick whenever it doesn’t go your way. You cannot be a great winner and then an ungrateful loser, and I think that was bad from Steveson.”
Fans then rushed to share footage showing Cormier walking around the octagon instead of standing with Steveson’s coach Jon Jones after their fight at UFC 214. It must be noted that the fight has since been struck off their records due to Jones failing a drug test after the fact.
“Wait I did that?” Cormier asked in a reply on X, before adding: “Honestly this is what I mean when I say I remember nothing from after the kick landed until I got into the ambulance and 9 years later I still can’t find the memory.
“Every time I see something from that night post knockout it’s the first time I’ve seen it. That’s crazy.”
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