Gable Steveson suffers 12-second knockout loss at UFC 331

Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson suffered a major upset at UFC 331, losing to Sean Sharaf via a 12-second knockout. Despite entering the heavyweight bout as a heavy favorite, Steveson was defeated by a left hook, marking his first professional MMA loss.

Following the defeat, various combat sports figures offered analysis on Steveson’s career trajectory. Henry Cejudo suggested Steveson may be facing a “mental block” since his Olympic victory, noting his inability to find success in subsequent ventures like the WWE and NFL. JBL expressed skepticism regarding Steveson’s ability to transition into professional combat sports at his age, citing a lack of experience compared to lifelong practitioners.

In contrast, Daniel Cormier expressed continued confidence in Steveson, viewing the loss as a “massive learning lesson” and urging him to reset his approach. Usman Nurmagomedov also highlighted Steveson’s lack of amateur MMA experience as a critical factor in the loss.

Controversy also surrounded the immediate aftermath of the fight, as Steveson’s team escorted him from the Octagon before the official result was announced. Coach Eric Nicksick questioned the decision, noting that staying in the cage to acknowledge the loss is standard sportsmanship.