Dana White doubles Sean Sharaf's bonus after 12-second UFC 331 knockout stuns Steveson

Dana White added $50,000 of his own money to Sean Sharaf’s performance bonus after the ex-United States Marine produced one of the most stunning upsets on the UFC 331 card at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on September 19, knocking out Gable Steveson with a single left hook in just 12 seconds.

Sharaf had already received a $50,000 special bonus tied to a promotional partnership, which White then matched personally — bringing Sharaf’s total bonus payout to $100,000 for the brief but seismic finish.

The main event also delivered, with Joshua Van defending his flyweight title against Alexandre Pantoja in a rematch that earned both fighters Fight of the Night honours and $100,000 each. The pair’s contest was widely regarded as an instant classic.

In the co-main event, Arman Tsarukyan claimed a $100,000 Performance of the Night bonus for stopping Mauricio Ruffy. Tsarukyan absorbed a heavy early right hand from Ruffy that left him visibly hurt, but he recovered to drag Ruffy into a clinch and put him down with two sharp elbows on the break.

Casey O’Neill (12-2) earned the second $100,000 Performance of the Night award for her submission victory over Eduarda Moura on the preliminary card. Moura caught an early kick and took O’Neill to the mat, but O’Neill kept her composure and secured an armbar while reversing position, forcing the tap.

The night’s defining moment, however, belonged to Sharaf. Steveson, the decorated amateur wrestling champion making his way in MMA, never had a chance to settle — Sharaf’s left hook landed flush inside the first 12 seconds, and the fight was over before most of the crowd had fully taken their seats. White’s decision to reach into his own pocket underlined just how significant the promotion considered the result.