Gable Steveson, the Olympic champion and UFC newcomer mentored by Jon Jones, was arrested on June 15, 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 ultimately 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 wrestlers, and their accounts contradicted each other. The law was changed after this case to allow victim testimony under any circumstances. The post notes there is no direct evidence of Steveson's guilt but questions remain about the incident.
A 2019 sexual assault arrest involving Gable Steveson, the Olympic wrestling champion who has been training under UFC heavyweight Jon Jones, has resurfaced amid renewed public attention on the case.
According to the report, Steveson was arrested on June 15, 2019, alongside a teammate on charges of group sexual assault. The alleged victim sought medical attention immediately following the incident and filed accusations with authorities. The charges were ultimately dropped, however, due to a legal provision that at the time barred the admission of a victim's testimony when the victim had voluntarily consumed alcohol. With no other witnesses available and the accounts of the victim and the two wrestlers in direct contradiction, prosecutors had no path forward. The law in question was subsequently changed following this case, specifically to allow victim testimony under all circumstances.
The report acknowledges there is no direct evidence establishing Steveson's guilt.
Jones, who has taken on a mentorship role with Steveson as the younger wrestler transitions toward a UFC career, holds a professional record of 28 wins and 1 loss. The 38-year-old heavyweight from the United States is among the most decorated fighters in the sport's history, landing 4.38 significant strikes per minute at a 58 percent accuracy rate over the course of his career.
Why it matters
- The resurfaced allegations arrive as Steveson is building his profile ahead of an anticipated UFC debut
- The legal outcome hinged on a procedural rule that has since been revised, raising questions about the original proceedings
- The report stops short of asserting guilt but puts renewed scrutiny on Steveson at a high-visibility moment in his career
