Gable Steveson’s team is ralling around the fallen fighter following a devastating 12 second KO loss at UFC 331.
Coming into Los Angeles, few were giving Steveson’s opponent Sean Sharaf much of a chance against the Olympic gold medalist and two-time NCAA Division I wrestling champion. Then the +900 dog arrived in the City of Angles and started taking it to Steveson in media interviews and press conferences, repeatedly bringing up a 2019 rape allegation and turning the crowd against the wrestling powerhouse.
Sharaf didn’t hesitate for one moment once the bell rang for their fight, either. He stalked Steveson down and fired off a massive left hook that caught his opponent clean on the chin (watch the finish here). Steveson crashed to the canvas, done along with any hopes he had of becoming an undefeated great. He then ran out of the arena to a chorus of boos before the official decision was read.
Where does Gable Steveson go from here? Past attempted careers in the NFL and WWE were abandoned after similar setbacks. But Steveson’s agent Abe Kawa is standing behind his man in a statement released on Instagram.
“It’s ok that Gable got caught,” Kawa wrote. “It’s ok that he was booed. It’s ok his opponent talked s–t. It’s ok that the world is kicking him when down. It’s the life he chose.”
Kawa then invoked the names of several MMA legends who suffered losses on their record.
“Islam got clipped. Arman has lost. DJ has lost. Gsp lost. Dc lost. Jose Aldo lost,” he noted. “All went on to have absolutely legendary careers. We stand by our guy. He will be back real soon and he will be great!”
It’s been a fast rise to the top for Steveson, who had his first MMA match in September 2025 and just two more before the UFC called him up to the big leagues. He won his UFC debut against Elisha Ellison via first round knockout, but did get hit hard in the process. The same thing happened against Sharaf, and this time Steveson learned that anyone at heavyweight can knock out you.
A valuable lesson, if he intends to continue.
