TLDR
- Sean Sharaf knocked out Gable Steveson in 12 seconds at UFC 331, one of the biggest upsets in UFC history
- Steveson was a 24-1 betting favorite with Jon Jones in his corner but left the octagon unconscious
- Sharaf quoted Nate Diaz after the win, saying “I’m not surprised, motherfu**ers” to the crowd
- The knockout was the third-fastest in UFC heavyweight division history
- Sharaf earned $125,000 in bonuses including a special “Chaos” bonus matched by Dana White
Sources: mmafighting.com | mmajunkie.usatoday.com | mmasucka.com
Sean Sharaf delivered one of the biggest upsets in UFC history Saturday night, knocking out heavily favored Gable Steveson in just 12 seconds at UFC 331 in Los Angeles.
Steveson entered the fight as a 24-1 betting favorite at Crypto.com Arena. The Olympic gold medal wrestler was undefeated at 4-0 in his young MMA career and had retired UFC champion Jon Jones in his corner.
None of that mattered when the cage door closed.
Sharaf, a 33-year-old former United States Marine from Anaheim, California, took control immediately. He forced Steveson backward from the opening bell and landed a devastating left hook at the 10-second mark that dropped the wrestling champion.
Two seconds and a few grounded strikes later, referee Frank Trigg stopped the fight. Steveson lay unconscious on the canvas while his corner looked on in disbelief.
Gable Steveson just got knocked out in 12 seconds as a -2500 favorite
This sport 🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯 pic.twitter.com/ESMzZRegNU
— Unbiased Mets Fan (@TheMetsX) September 20, 2026
Jones Left Speechless Cageside
Cameras captured Jones’ reaction at cageside, where the former two-division champion sat stunned and silent. He exchanged a look with coach Greg Jackson but appeared unable to process what had just happened to his protege.
Jones and Steveson had formed a close relationship during Steveson’s transition from wrestling to MMA. The retired champion had taken the younger fighter under his wing and was working his first major cornerman role.
The loss was made worse when Steveson left the octagon before Sharaf was officially announced as the winner. The broadcast team and fans on social media criticized the move as poor sportsmanship.
Sharaf broke down in tears after the victory, then channeled Nate Diaz during his octagon interview with Joe Rogan. “I’m not surprised, motherfu**ers,” Sharaf told the crowd, repeating Diaz’s famous line after beating Conor McGregor in 2016.
“I worked so hard, I prayed so hard,” Sharaf continued. “I believed in myself when nobody believed in me.”
Controversy and Compensation
The fight had a contentious buildup, with Sharaf attacking Steveson over his 2019 arrest for suspicion of rape. Steveson and a University of Minnesota wrestling teammate were arrested, but prosecutors did not file charges due to a legal loophole in Minnesota law at the time.
The law stated that if a sexual assault victim was drunk voluntarily, they could not be considered “mentally incapacitated” and unable to consent. Minnesota changed that law after cases like Steveson’s.
The UFC did not award Sharaf one of the official $100,000 Performance of the Night bonuses. Instead, he received a promotional “Chaos” bonus of $50,000, which UFC CEO Dana White said he would match.
Sharaf also received a $25,000 finish bonus, bringing his total extra compensation to $125,000. The knockout set a new UFC record as the third-fastest in heavyweight division history.
Sharaf improved his record to 5-2 overall and 1-2 in the UFC. Steveson suffered his first professional loss, dropping to 4-1 overall and 1-1 in the UFC.
The Palestinian fighter said a lengthy prayer in the octagon on the microphone following his victory. He entered the fight with a 1-2 UFC record and was looking to avoid getting cut from the promotion.
