Joe Rogan thinks Jon Jones was a factor in the downfall of Gable Steveson Joe Rogan thinks Gable Steveson was trying to hard to be Jon Jones at UFC 331 and the whole build up, Rogan went onto say trying to be the GOAT of the sport when you still have to cut your teeth in the UFC was the wrong decision and a lot will be learned. Gable Steveson was one of the hottest prospects the UFC has ever seen and the defeated dropped his stock massively, can he comeback the same?
Joe Rogan believes Jon Jones' influence played a part in Gable Steveson's loss at UFC 331. Speaking about the heavyweight prospect's setback, Rogan argued that Steveson tried too hard to emulate Jones, both in the buildup to the fight and in the cage.
According to Rogan, aiming to be the GOAT of the sport while still learning the craft at UFC level was the wrong approach. He suggested Steveson will take a lot of lessons from the experience.
Steveson, 26, was regarded as one of the most hyped prospects the UFC has signed. The American, who fights out of an orthodox stance, stands five-foot-eleven with a 74-inch reach. The loss dropped his record to 4-1, and his stock took a significant hit. The question now is whether he can bounce back the same fighter.
His numbers show a striker with real volume and precision. Steveson lands 15.46 significant strikes per minute at 71 percent accuracy. He has yet to record a takedown or a submission attempt in the UFC, despite a grappling pedigree that made him such a sought-after signing.
Jones, 39, is the model Rogan pointed to. The orthodox fighter is 28-1 and owns a six-foot-four frame with an 84-inch reach, giving him a significant size edge over Steveson. Jones lands 4.38 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy and averages 1.89 takedowns and 0.5 submission attempts per 15 minutes, a well-rounded profile built over a long career.
Why it matters
- Rogan's comments add to the debate over how quickly elite prospects should be pushed toward the top of the heavyweight division.
- Steveson's striking output stands out, yet his takedown and submission numbers remain at zero.
- How he rebuilds after the loss will shape whether he can regain the momentum he carried into UFC 331.
