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‘Lost all respect for that dude’: Pros rip Gable Steveson for leaving UFC 331 cage early after knockout loss to Sean Sharaf

Sean Sharaf took Gable Steveson out at UFC 331 and might have permanently derailed the blue-chip prospect’s hype. Steveson, an Olympic gold medalist and two-time NCAA Division-I wrestling champion, is one of the most highly touted heavyweight talents in recent…

By Alexander K. Lee · MMA Fighting

Published: Sunday, 20 September 2026 at 2:31 AM

Key Things to Know

Sean Sharaf defeated Gable Steveson via knockout in just 12 seconds at UFC 331.
Gable Steveson left the cage early before the official fight result was announced.
Professional fighters and social media users criticized Steveson for poor sportsmanship.

The Story in 60 Seconds

Sean Sharaf defeated Gable Steveson via knockout in just 12 seconds at UFC 331 on Saturday in Los Angeles. Following the rapid defeat, Steveson immediately exited the cage rather than staying for the official result announcement. The quick departure drew heavy criticism from fellow professional fighters and fans on social media, who condemned his sportsmanship.

The loss marks a major setback for Steveson, an Olympic gold medalist and two-time NCAA Division-I wrestling champion. The defeat capped off a difficult week for Steveson, who was also confronted by Sharaf during a Thursday press conference regarding a past suspension from the Minnesota Gophers wrestling team.

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