Jones says he made the call for Steveson to leave cage early

Olympic champion Gable Steveson faced heavy criticism for leaving the cage before his loss was officially announced. Jon Jones said he made the decision for Steveson to exit early and accepted responsibility for the controversy.

In combat sports, the post-fight protocol is a formal ritual—the referee's decision is announced to the crowd, and both athletes are expected to remain present until that moment concludes. When Gable Steveson exited the cage prematurely after his loss, it broke with that tradition and drew immediate backlash from fans and observers who viewed the move as unsportsmanlike. Jon Jones, a veteran figure in the sport, has since clarified that the early exit was his own directive, not Steveson's choice, and has publicly accepted the blame for the ensuing controversy. The episode highlights how even small deviations from established fight-night customs can create significant fallout, and how senior figures sometimes intervene in the heat of the moment with consequences they later own.