Gable Steveson, the Olympic champion wrestler and UFC newcomer mentored by Jon Jones, was arrested in June 2019 along with a teammate on charges of group sexual assault. The alleged victim went to the hospital and immediately filed accusations. The charges were eventually dropped due to a legal loophole that prevented the victim's testimony from being admitted because she had voluntarily consumed alcohol on the evening of the incident. There were no witnesses other than the victim and the two athletes, and their accounts contradicted each other. The law was changed after this case to allow victim testimony under any circumstances. The post includes video of Steveson celebrating with Jones at a Dirty Boxing event.
Gable Steveson, the decorated Olympic wrestling champion who has been publicly mentored by UFC heavyweight titleholder Jon Jones, is at the center of a resurfacing report detailing a 2019 sexual assault arrest that resulted in dropped charges.
According to the report, Steveson was arrested in June 2019 alongside a teammate following accusations of group sexual assault. The alleged victim sought medical attention immediately after the incident and filed accusations with authorities the same day. However, the charges were ultimately dropped due to a legal loophole that barred the victim's testimony from being admitted in court, stemming from the fact that she had voluntarily consumed alcohol on the evening in question. No independent witnesses were present, and the accounts given by the alleged victim and the two athletes directly contradicted one another. In the aftermath of the case, the applicable law was amended to allow victim testimony to be admitted regardless of whether alcohol had been consumed voluntarily.
The report also references video footage showing Steveson celebrating alongside Jones at a Dirty Boxing event, highlighting the visible public connection between the two.
Jones, 38, holds a professional record of 28 wins, one loss, and no draws. The longtime light heavyweight great transitioned to heavyweight and currently operates at the sport's highest level. He lands 4.38 significant strikes per minute at a 58 percent accuracy rate and has mentored Steveson as the younger athlete pursues a professional MMA career.
Why it matters
- The case raises questions about Steveson's background as he attempts to establish himself in professional MMA under the Jones mentorship umbrella
- The dropped charges stemmed from a procedural loophole rather than a finding of innocence, a distinction the report makes clear
- Legislation was subsequently changed as a direct result of this case, broadening the admissibility of victim testimony in similar proceedings
