12-to-1 underdog Sharaf stuns Steveson with 12-second knockout at UFC 331

Sean Sharaf knocked out Gable Steveson in just 12 seconds at UFC 331 in Los Angeles on Saturday, stunning a crowd that had widely expected the Olympic and NCAA wrestling champion to cruise to victory. Sharaf, a 12-to-1 underdog who was winless in his two previous UFC appearances, caught Steveson with two punches in the opening round to produce one of the most shocking results in MMA history.

“I shocked the world,” Sharaf said afterwards, though he was quick to add that the outcome never surprised him personally. “I was just treating this like every other fight. I don’t put anyone on a pedestal. He has two hands, two legs, and he bleeds red.”

Much had been written in the build-up about Steveson’s potential as a future UFC heavyweight champion, while Sharaf entered the bout carrying the weight of two promotional losses. None of that appeared to affect his mindset. “I told you the game plan was hit, don’t get hit, leave with a bag full of cash,” Sharaf said. “Everyone thought I was joking, but no, I’m just grateful. I prayed so hard, I believed in myself, my team believed in me and I’m just so happy.”

The fight week had been charged with tension after Sharaf publicly referenced a 2019 arrest of Steveson during his time wrestling for the Minnesota Golden Gophers, when Steveson was taken in on suspicion of sexual assault. He was not criminally charged due to insufficient evidence. Whether that history played a role or not, Steveson was met with a hostile reception from the Los Angeles crowd, and the atmosphere soured further when he was seen leaving the octagon before the official result was announced.

Sharaf was measured in his response to the early exit. “I saw him leaving, but I was thinking about this before the fight,” he said. “I was 4-0, undefeated, when I had my first loss in the UFC and he just had his first loss. It makes you better. You can’t underestimate people. You can’t think you’re untouchable.”

Despite the bluntness of the finish, Sharaf expressed no ill will toward his opponent and suggested Steveson’s story is far from over. “He’s got a hell of a lot of talent, so I’m sure you guys will see him again,” he said.

As for how the win might reshape his own career, Sharaf admitted the full weight of the moment had not yet landed. “I’m definitely getting more interviews, that’s for sure, but that’s about it,” he said with a smile.