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Sean Sharaf Knocks Out Gable Steveson in 12 Seconds at UFC 331
Confirmed
In Short: Sean Sharaf knocked out Gable Steveson in just 12 seconds during their heavyweight bout at UFC 331 on Saturday.
Steveson, a former Olympic gold medalist in freestyle wrestling, was caught off guard by Sharaf's powerful left hook, which sent him crashing to the canvas.
Sharaf, who fights out of Santa Ana, California, had been vocal about his confidence in defeating the heavily favored Steveson.
The fight began with Steveson landing a calf kick, but Sharaf quickly capitalized, looping a punch over Steveson's arms to land the decisive blow.
Steveson did not stay in the ring to acknowledge Sharaf's victory, leaving the octagon immediately after the fight.
Sharaf's win marks a significant upset, as Steveson was seen as a promising prospect in the UFC, having been mentored by UFC legend Jon Jones.
The knockout was a shocking turn of events for Steveson, who had been booed by fans during a public press conference earlier in the week.
Despite the quick end to the fight, Sharaf was in awe of the moment, soaking in the crowd's reaction and embracing the victory.
This win also marks the end of Sharaf's two-fight losing streak and a significant moment in his career.
Steveson's record now stands at 4-1 in his MMA career, with this loss marking a significant setback for the former wrestling standout.
What this adds
The sources have not established the exact reason for Steveson's quick departure from the octagon.
The sources have not provided further details on Sharaf's training regimen or strategy leading up to the fight.
What's confirmed
- Gable Steveson was on the receiving end of a brutal mixed martial arts reality check when he was knocked out in seconds by Sean Sharaf at UFC 331 on Saturday.
What's still developing
- "I feel amazing," Sharaf said after the fight.
- The shot sent Steveson crashing to the canvas, where follow-up shots from Sharaf made official what was already clear.
- Steveson had opened with a leg kick, but reached his arms out to attempt to parry incoming punches, which Sharaf was able to loop over to connect with the fight's only meaningful shot.
- Sharaf had spent fight week telling anyone who would listen that he would defeat the -2400 favorite.
- “I feel amazing, Joe,” Sharaf told Joe Rogan during the post-fight interview.
- In June 2019, Steveson was arrested on suspicion of criminal sexual conduct while he was a member of the University of Minnesota wrestling team.
- Right after the opening bell, Gable Steveson landed a calf kick, and just when viewers thought the bout had only just begun and Steveson would start dominating as always, the 26-year-old was sent to the shadow realm by a vicious left hook by Sharaf that sent Steveson crashing to the canvas and ended his undefeated record.
- UFC 265-pound contender Sean Sharaf has done the unthinkable.
- Sharaf finally managed to snap his two-fight losing skid at UFC 331 by sending Gable Steveson to the shadow realm.
- Official decison: Sean Sharaf defeated Gable Steveson via first-round KO (0:12) at UFC 331.
- He came after Steveson at every turn in the leadup to this fight and then did it again once the action started on Saturday.
- Despite stepping into the fight as a massive underdog, Sharaf never seemed to care much about the odds because he showed no fear taking on the 2020 Olympic gold medalist.