TLDR
- Gable Steveson faces Sean Sharaf at UFC 331 on Saturday, September 19, 2026 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles
- Steveson is listed as a 92% favorite with odds of -2500, making him one of the heaviest favorites on the card
- The 26-year-old Steveson is an Olympic gold medalist and NCAA Division I champion trained by Jon Jones
- Sean Sharaf has lost both of his UFC fights and enters as a massive underdog at +900 odds
- Steveson is 4-0 in his professional MMA career and displayed strong kicking in his last fight
Sources: mmamania.com | covers.com | sports.betmgm.com
Gable Steveson will face Sean Sharaf in a heavyweight bout at UFC 331 this Saturday, September 19, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The fight will air on Paramount+ as part of the main card.
Steveson enters the fight as an overwhelming favorite with betting odds of -2500, while Sharaf is listed at +900. Prediction markets place Steveson’s win probability at 92%, making this one of the most lopsided matchups on the card.
The 26-year-old Steveson brings impressive credentials to the octagon. He won an Olympic gold medal in freestyle wrestling and claimed two NCAA Division I championships before transitioning to mixed martial arts.
Steveson currently trains under UFC legend Jon Jones, who is expected to be in his corner for the fight. He holds a perfect 4-0 record in professional MMA competition.
Contrasting Career Paths
Sean Sharaf faces an uphill battle in his third UFC appearance. The heavyweight has lost both of his previous fights inside the octagon and now faces the most difficult opponent of his career.
🚨 Here’s your updated card for #UFC331 after Ortega pulls out 😪 pic.twitter.com/3nzu5bqfgR
— 3KFighting (@3KFighting) September 15, 2026
Sharaf has just six professional fights total, making him relatively inexperienced compared to fighters typically matched against top prospects. His record shows struggles with both defense and cardio in his previous UFC outings.
Betting markets heavily favor a knockout finish, with a 68% probability assigned to the fight ending by KO or TKO. Odds for Steveson to win by knockout are listed at -350, while a submission victory sits at +500.
A decision victory for Steveson carries odds of +2000, reflecting expectations that the fight will not go the distance. The probability of the fight ending before Round 2 is placed at 74%.
Fighting Styles and Strategy
Steveson displayed his kicking ability in his last fight at UFC 329 in July 2026. He used repeated front kicks to the body against Elisha Ellison, landing approximately a dozen strikes in half a round.
Analysts point to Steveson’s combination of elite wrestling and distance striking as key advantages. His ability to control range with kicks while maintaining the threat of takedowns creates problems for opponents.
Sharaf’s best path to victory relies on landing power punches early in the fight. However, his cardio issues and defensive weaknesses make a sustained offense difficult to maintain.
The fight takes place in what experts describe as a weak heavyweight division. Steveson is viewed by many as a future title contender if he continues his winning streak.
Betting lines for specific finish methods show Sharaf’s knockout victory at +2200, submission at +3000, and decision at +3500. These odds reflect the extreme unlikelihood of any Sharaf victory scenario.
FanDuel Sportsbook and other major betting platforms have kept the lines consistent since opening. The lack of movement suggests little betting action on the underdog despite the tempting odds.
