mma
Olympic champ Steveson KO'd by Sharaf in just 12 seconds at UFC 331
Gable Steveson, the 2020 U.S. Olympic wrestling gold medalist, was knocked out in just 12 seconds by Sean Sharaf at UFC 331, Steveson's second fight inside the Octagon.
Brett Okamoto · 20 September 2026 08:16 · 1 min
LOS ANGELES -- The hype behind Gable Steveson's budding MMA career came to a crashing halt Saturday night as Sean Sharaf knocked him unconscious with a left hook just 12 seconds into their fight at UFC 331, Steveson's second fight inside the Octagon.
Sharaf, who went into Saturday with a 0-2 record in the UFC, both losses coming by knockout, immediately went at Steveson (4-1) and knocked him out with the second punch he threw. After throwing a right hand, Sharaf (5-2) followed with a devastating left hook to Steveson's chin, earning him what UFC CEO Dana White said was $100,000 in bonuses for the knockout.
It was the first MMA defeat for the 2020 U.S. Olympic wrestling gold medalist and two-time NCAA Division I national champion, and is good for the third-fastest finish in UFC heavyweight history.
"I prayed so hard, worked so hard and believed in myself," said Sharaf, a former U.S. Marine who went into the bout a substantial betting underdog.
Steveson arrived at Crypto.com Arena in a classic Mercedes convertible with his mentor and all-time great, Jon Jones. He has been considered one of the greatest prospects in MMA since transitioning to the sport in 2025.
