Gable Steveson, UFC 329 ceremonial weigh-in Credit: Gabriel Gonzalez/Cageside Press
Heavyweight Gable Steveson, who made his promotional debut in the UFC less than a month ago, has his next assignment set.
Steveson (4-0), an Olympic gold medalist wrestler, two-time NCAA Division I champion, and former WWE star, will face Sean Sharaf (4-2) as part of UFC 331 in Los Angeles, California on September 19, 2026.
The card takes place at the Crypto.com Arena, and does not yet have a main event announced. UFC officials revealed Steveson vs. Sharaf on Wednesday.
Gable Steveson won his promotional debut at UFC 329, the McGregor vs. Holloway 2 card, defeating Elisha Ellison by knockout inside of a round. All of Steveson’s four wins as a professional have ended inside of a minute. Training alongside the likes of Jon Jones, Steveson has been looked at as a future champion since announcing his intent to move to MMA following the end of his pro wrestling career.
It appears, however, that the UFC are looking to build him slowly. Sharaf, like Steveson, has less than 10 fights in MMA; he’s 0-2 under the UFC banner with losses to Junior Tafa and Steven Asplund.
Steveson vs. Sharaf joins another heavyweight tilt announced on Wednesday, that sees Robelis Despaigne returning to the UFC to take on struggling Australian big man Tai Tuivasa.