Gable Steveson has posted an emotional message on his Instagram account referencing his recent UFC loss and the past charges that were dropped against him.
“This statement is for my family, my friends, my fans, and the people who truly know me and know the kind of man I am. I know there are people who will never support me, no matter what I say or do. That’s their choice. But I’m speaking to the people who know me not just as an athlete, but as a husband and a father to a young daughter.
Prior to and during fight week, an incident from my college years was brought up by my opponent. I believe it was raised to get in my head, but it also reopened something that had been addressed years ago.
I want to be clear: I did not do anything alleged. I was never charged with a crime, and the matter was ultimately dropped by the District Attorney. The allegations were not ignored nor brushed aside. They were thoroughly and heavily reviewed as I fully cooperated with law enforcement, including a separate Title IX review.
There were no criminal charges, no conviction, and no finding of responsibility against me. The matter was closed, and there is no pending legal issue involving me. My own attorney did their own investigation and stated on the record that even if the law was changed, I would have the same outcome, which now speaks for itself.
I understand how serious allegations like this are, and I understand that people may have questions when they hear only part of a story. Moving forward, I am going to keep focusing on my wife, my daughter, my family, and the work in front of me. To the people who support me, thank you. I know who I am. My family knows who I am. The people who have walked with me through life know who I am. That’s what matters to me, and that’s where I’m going to keep my focus.
As for my opponent, congratulations, you caught me. A mistake on my end was made. It was your night. Just like my wrestling days after my loss, I came back with an undeniable will to win and focus that led me to the top of my sport. The result of Saturday night, I believe, will catapult me to do the same. I will be great, and no one can deny me.
Gable Steveson’s undefeated streak can to an end last night at UFC 331. Steveson’s professional MMA record had been 4-0.
His opponent Sean Sharaf knocked him out in just 12 seconds into the very first round. Steveson got a kick in but Sharaf’s left hook crumpled Steveson knocking him down to the mat where Sharaf hammered on him until the bout was called.
Steveson was heavily criticized for not sticking around to congratulate Sharaf and leaving the octagon and arena immediately instead of allowing announcer Bruce Buffer to do what he does with both fighters present.
Steveson, the former brief WWE superstar, was arrested along with a Minnesota teammate in 2019 on the suspicion of sexual assault. Six months later, it was announced that neither would face criminal charges due to “inadequate evidence” therefore Steveson was never charged or even convicted of sexual assault.
Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman the Associated Press that “all criminal cases, including sexual assault crimes, must meet the standard of proof beyond a reasonable doubt.”
“There are often conflicting versions of what happened and this case is no exception. In the interest of justice, there is inadequate evidence to fairly charge and prosecute this case,” he said.
Freeman also said that due to Minnesota’s laws concerning intoxication and a victim’s ability to give consent, his office’s hands were tied.
At the time, Steveson’s attorney Christa Groshek said that her client was: “100% innocent”.
