TLDR
- Sean Sharaf knocked out Gable Steveson in 12 seconds at UFC 331 with a left hook to the jaw
- The knockout was the third-fastest in UFC heavyweight division history
- Steveson left the cage before the official announcement, drawing heavy boos from fans
- Professional fighters criticized Steveson on social media for poor sportsmanship
- The loss drops Steveson’s MMA record to 4-1, marking his first professional defeat
Sources: sports.yahoo.com | mmafighting.com | usatoday.com
Gable Steveson suffered a stunning knockout loss to Sean Sharaf at UFC 331 on Saturday night at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The fight ended just 12 seconds into the first round.
Sharaf landed a left hook to the jaw of the 26-year-old Olympic gold medalist, sending him to the canvas. The knockout marked one of the fastest finishes in UFC heavyweight history.
According to the UFC broadcast, it was the third-fastest victory ever recorded in the heavyweight division. Sharaf, who fights out of Santa Ana, California, appeared shocked by how quickly the fight ended.
Steveson Leaves Cage Before Announcement
Steveson did not remain in the cage for the traditional winner announcement. He left the octagon before Sharaf had his hand raised by the referee.
Fans in attendance booed heavily as Steveson exited the arena. The crowd’s reaction was captured on video and shared widely on social media.
🚨💰 Dana White just announced that Sean Sharaf who just knocked out Gable Steveson will get $50K bonus from Mobland and $50K from Dana himself:
"Someone said he's $600,000 in debt. Well, we'll knock $100k off that."
🎥 @ufc pic.twitter.com/ShdG8XbW3E
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) September 20, 2026
Professional fighters criticized Steveson on social media for leaving the cage early. One fighter stated they “lost all respect for that dude” after witnessing the poor sportsmanship.
Jon Jones, the UFC heavyweight champion, was filmed cageside during the knockout. Footage showed Jones looking stunned by what he had just witnessed.
Tension Before the Fight
The week leading up to UFC 331 was marked by tension between the two fighters. At a press conference on Thursday, Sharaf referenced Steveson’s 2019 arrest for suspicion of sexual assault.
Steveson was suspended from the University of Minnesota wrestling team following the arrest. No criminal charges were filed due to insufficient evidence.
The Los Angeles crowd had already made their feelings clear about Steveson at the press conference. Fans booed him loudly during the public appearance.
“I feel amazing, Joe,” Sharaf said during his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan. “I worked so hard. I want to thank you all so much for your support.”
Steveson entered the fight as a heavily favored prospect in the heavyweight division. He is an Olympic gold medalist and won two NCAA Division-I wrestling championships.
Many considered Steveson one of the most highly touted heavyweight talents in recent MMA history. He had won his previous UFC fight with a first-round knockout over Elisha Ellison at UFC 329 on July 11, 2026.
The loss drops Steveson’s professional MMA record to 4-1. It represents his first defeat since beginning his mixed martial arts career.
Sharaf pulled off what many are calling one of the biggest upsets in MMA history. He entered the fight as a heavy underdog against the decorated wrestler.
The quick knockout raises questions about Steveson’s striking defense and his ability to transition his wrestling skills to MMA. His decision to leave the cage before the official announcement drew criticism from fans and fighters alike.
Steveson’s exit from the arena was met with continued booing from the Los Angeles crowd. Video footage of both the knockout and his departure circulated widely on social media platforms throughout the weekend.
