Gable Steveson provided the shock and awe at UFC 331 in the most unexpected way.
A massive favorite going into his second UFC fight, Steveson got knocked out in 12 seconds Saturday, Sept. 19 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
The shock? Steveson, an Olympic gold-medal winning freestyle wrestler, suffered among the most stunning defeats in recent UFC history. The awe? Watching a 5-foot-11, 240-pound man collapse when hit by a perfectly executive left hook thrown by a relative no-name, Sean Sharaf.
This week, Steveson predicted he would fight for the UFC heavyweight title next year. Now the question is can the 26-year-old bounce back after such a disastrous defeat.
He won his UFC debut by a first-round knockout July 11 and he had won his three other
pro fights by first-round knockout.
Speaking of knockouts, Arman Tsarukyan, the No. 1 contender in the lightweight division, KO’d Mauricio Ruffy with an elbow to the head. Spectacular in its own right, the knockout likely will earn Tsarukyan a title shot.
There were other entertaining stoppages, but one of the most important fights ended only when the final horn sounded after five rounds.
It was the main event. The flyweight title fight. Joshua Van, the reigning champ, vs. Alexandre Pantoja, the former champ.
Van drew on his boxing skills and defense to defeat Pantoja by unanimous decision (49-46, 48-47, 50-45). The flyweight throne remains rightfully his, and future challenges should beware of his fists.
UFC 331 highlights
Joshua Van retains title
Joshua Van proved he’s the worthy champion of the UFC flyweight division with a victory over Alexandre Pantoja in their rematch.
Van capitalized on his superior striking and frustrated Pantoja with excellent takedown defense. He also left the former champion bloodied and battered.
Van won the title in December, but the result was questionable because Pantoja suffered an arm injury early in the first round that ended the fight. Van won the bout by TKO 26 seconds after that fight started.
But there will be no dispute over who deserves the title now after Van’s performance in the main event at UFC 331. Van was especially impressive in the fifth and final round.
It was the second straight title defense for Van, who in his first title defense defeated Tatsuro Taira by TKO in the fifth round May 19.
Van, 24, improved to 18-2 (11-1 UFC).
Pantoja, 36, had defended the flyweight title four straight times before he lost to Van in December. With the second straight defeat to Van, Pantoja’s record fell to 30-7 (14-5 UFC).
Gable Steveson KO'd in shocking fashion
Gable Steveson's list of accolades is extensive: Olympic gold medalist in wrestling, five-time NCAA Division I All-American wrestler. And one of the most highly touted UFC prospects in recent history.
Well, time to revise that list.
Steveson got knocked out by Sean Sharaf at UFC 311.
THAT. JUST. HAPPENED.
— UFC on Paramount+ (@UFConParamount) September 20, 2026
Sean Sharaf knocks Gable Steveson OUT COLD
📺 @paramountplus pic.twitter.com/LKcjPrwqHd
Sharaf took Steveson out with a left hand and the heavyweight bout was over 12 seconds after it started.
Steveson left the octagon before Sharaf's hand was raised in victory and it was unclear where Steveson goes next.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: UFC 331 featured plenty of surprises and exciting finishes: What you missed
