Matt Brown Warns Gable Steveson Over Jon Jones’ Guidance: “I Have to Question the Coaching”
UFC veteran Matt Brown is not convinced that having Jon Jones in his corner is the best thing for Gable Steveson so early on in his MMA career.
Following Gable Steveson’s stunning 12-second knockout loss to Sean Sharaf at UFC 331, former UFC welterweight contender Matt Brown is raising serious questions about the heavyweight prospect's corner. Steveson entered the Octagon as a massive favorite, but his sudden defeat and early exit from the cage left the fight community searching for answers.
For Brown, the issue isn't Steveson's athleticism, but rather the mentorship from former UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones.
Questioning the Corner Strategy
Speaking on the "Fighter vs. The Writer" podcast, Brown voiced deep skepticism about whether Jones is equipped to prepare the Olympic gold medalist for the harsh realities of mixed martial arts.
"I have to question the coaching," Brown said. "He’s got to have the right coaching. Jon Jones trying to teach him to be Jon Jones is not the way."
Brown pointed out that while Jones is widely regarded as the greatest fighter in MMA history, his dominant career makes him an imperfect mentor for a developing heavy hitter who just faced severe adversity. Jones never suffered a single-punch knockout or had to rebuild his game after getting flatlined inside the Octagon.
"Jon Jones, in my opinion, is the greatest of all time, but I don't know that he's equipped to help Gable through these moments because he never experienced it," Brown explained. "Jon Jones never experienced this kind of loss. He never got absolutely flatlined by one punch."
Brown’s concern also extended to how Steveson handled the immediate aftermath of the fight. After recovering on the canvas, the 26-year-old left the cage before official results were read, escorted by Jones and his coaching staff. Brown noted that true mentorship requires teaching accountability and sportsmanship during bitter defeats.
Despite the upset, Brown hasn't written off Steveson, who now holds a 4-1 professional record. The raw athletic tools remain obvious, but Brown believes Steveson needs harder sparring rounds and guidance from coaches who can help him navigate the mental grind of fighting. Whether Steveson adjusts his camp remains to be seen, but learning to process a heavy defeat might be the defining turning point of his young career.
