When Gable Steveson fights Sean Sharaf in a heavyweight bout at UFC 331 Saturday, Sept. 19, he’ll underscore the difference between exciting and competitive.
The same way Mike Tyson once did.
When Tyson stepped into the ring early in his career, fans watched not for the battle that would ensue – because it rarely did – but for the brutal knockout Tyson invariably delivered.
While it’s premature, if not outrageous, to compare Steveson to the erstwhile Baddest Man on the Planet, Steveson has quickly shown his ability to shift from stellar wrestler to must-watch MMA fighter.
Steveson, who won an Olympic gold medal in freestyle wrestling at the 2020 Tokyo Games, scored a first-round knockout in July during his UFC debut. He’s won by knockout in all
four of his MMA fights, and it’s a good bet he’ll make it five-for-five against Sharaf.
Sharaf is 4-2, but he lost both of his UFC bouts by knockout.
It'll be Stevenson's first appearance on a main card, and it'll be memorable.
BetMGMlists Steveson as a -2000 favorite – a bad sign for those wanting a competitive fight but good sign for those wanting a violent ending.
Alonzo Menifield vs. Iwo Baraniewski
The chances are strong for this light heavyweight to end by knockout.
Baraniewski is 9-0 and won seven of those fights by knockout. He also has won each of his three UFC bouts by knockout. Menifield, the 38-year-old veteran, has been vulnerable, losing three of his last six fights by KO.
Tai Tuivasa vs. Robelis Despaigne
This heavyweight bout may stretch the definition of exciting, but we make the rules around here. Tai Tuivasa has lost seven fights in a row and will have a chance to tie the UFC record for consecutive losses. (Tony Ferguson and Sam Alvey share the record with eight losses in a row.)
Oddly enough, Tuivasa’s losing streak started after he knocked out the formidable Derrick Lewis. But a subsequent loss to Ciryl Gane in 2022 got his skid started.
The good news for Tuivasa (but bad news for those who want to see him tie the record) is Despaigne has lost two of his last three bouts.
Joshua Van vs. Alexandre Pantoja
Last but not least.
Fans were robbed of a chance to see this matchup in December when Pantoja injured his arm and shoulder 26 seconds into their first fight. Van will look to establish his striking and capitalize on his athleticism. Pantoja will look to neutralize Van’s strengths with crafty grappling and his experience.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: UFC 331 preview: Why Gable Steveson could steal the show
