Minnesota wrestling star Gable Steveson experienced one of the most stunning defeats in recent UFC history on Saturday night, getting knocked out just over 10 seconds into his bout against Sean Sharaf. At just 26 years old, Steveson was seen as the future of the UFC heavyweight division, but he suffered a devastating loss to a relatively unknown fighter in only his second UFC appearance. Steveson entered the fight as a massive -2400 betting favorite, while Sharaf was an extreme +1200 underdog, marking one of the biggest upsets ever recorded on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Following the knockout, Steveson quickly exited the octagon without waiting for Sharaf’s hand to be raised and has remained silent, not speaking to the media or making any public statements on social media. UFC president Dana White commented after the fight, “Anything is possible. You never know how a fight will go. That’s why people always ask me what happens next. Let’s wait and see.”
Though the upset losses of fighters like Holly Holm over Ronda Rousey or Matt Serra over Georges St-Pierre are legendary, this defeat might arguably be one of the most shocking in UFC history considering the disparity in expectations. Steveson’s manager, Abe Kawa, defended him on Instagram, acknowledging the setback but emphasizing that many great fighters including Islam Makhachev, Arman Tsarukyan, Demetrious Johnson, Georges St-Pierre, Daniel Cormier, and Jose Aldo all faced losses before achieving legendary status.
However, it’s important to note the context — most of those fighters lost to top-tier opponents or in title fights, while Steveson, a heavy favorite, was defeated by a relatively unheralded opponent. Former UFC veteran Chael Sonnen also pointed out Makhachev’s comeback story as a beacon of hope, highlighting that setbacks don’t have to define a fighter’s career.
Steveson’s wrestling credentials are impeccable, including two NCAA titles, two Dan Hodge Trophies as the nation’s best collegiate wrestler, and an Olympic gold medal in 2021. Yet, his journey has not been without struggles, including a dropped sexual assault case from 2019 that followed him into the UFC. After exploring careers in WWE and the NFL, Steveson returned for one final NCAA wrestling season in 2025, only to suffer a shocking upset loss that was similarly considered one of the biggest in NCAA history.
The MMA chapter of Steveson’s story is far from over if he chooses to continue. Surrounded by top talent such as Jon Jones, who cornered him during his recent fight, Steveson has the support to rebound. Though he was once regarded as one of the most promising wrestling talents, these consecutive major upsets might be the crucial humbling moments needed for him to evolve as a fighter. At 26, he still has time to adjust and grow in the sport.
Fan Take:
This shocking upset sends a powerful message to fight fans that in MMA, anything can happen regardless of odds or hype, keeping the sport unpredictable and thrilling. For Steveson and the UFC heavyweight division, it could mark the start of a new era where even the biggest names must continually prove themselves, raising the bar for competition and excitement in the sport.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
