Craig Jones recently addressed the speculations surrounding Gable Steveson’s sudden withdrawal from their planned superfight at CJI 2 – and he didn’t hold back on what he thinks went wrong.

Jones revealed that Steveson’s lack of commitment had been apparent well before the announcement.:

Gable really put no effort in. I think he collaborated on three posts of which the sad little bastard has since removed himself.

Jones also admitted that he should have prepared a backup plan sooner, especially after Steveson’s team tried to book him for a “dirty boxing match” just two days before CJI 2.

The situation escalated further when Gordon Ryan appeared to share insider details online.
Jones called that move “f***ing illegal” if true, but stopped short of directly accusing the UFC of tampering.

Still, he didn’t dismiss the idea that the promotion may have played a role:

Would it shock or surprise me that they would sabotage my main event if given the power to do so?

And given Gable’s aspirations to compete in the UFC and considering he has a LFA match two weeks after the magically appearing and disappearing turf does add very many questions.

Jones also pointed out that UFC athletes who wanted to step in as replacements were blocked from doing so:

Every single UFC athlete despite the contract they don’t know how to read have to really get approval…

Unfortunately you have to kiss the ring to get in and if the ring holder does not like you, then he’s not going to allow you to be a part of my show.

In the end, Chael Sonnen stepped up on almost no notice to keep the main event alive, a move Jones respected deeply:

I firmly believe that if anyone at the UFC, Dana White included, said: “Hey, do not do this.”
And Chael be, like: “I will do whatever the f*ck I want to do.”

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