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Why Sean Strickland Is Celebrating Gable Steveson’s UFC 331 Knockout Loss
Sean Strickland had two reasons to enjoy Gable Steveson’s UFC 331 defeat: Sean Sharaf pulled off a huge underdog win, and Strickland has been openly critical of Steveson over the unresolved public debate around a 2019 criminal sexual-conduct investigation.
Sharaf knocked Steveson out with a left hook just 12 seconds into their heavyweight fight in Los Angeles on September 19. Strickland quickly posted on X: “MY MAN!!!!! BRO LETS FUCKING GO!!!! Sean Sharaf legend.” The UFC middleweight champion has a connection to Sharaf that gave the result an extra layer.
Sean Strickland Roasts Gable Steveson After Stunning 12-Second KO
Weeks before UFC 331, Sharaf had sent Strickland a photo showing a thin mat on the floor in an otherwise bare room. Strickland told him to buy a cheap mattress and box spring, while Sharaf replied that he was planning to get an air mattress from Walmart. That made Sharaf’s result look like more than a standard upset.
The former U.S. Marine entered as a heavy betting underdog and was winless in two prior UFC appearances. Steveson, meanwhile, came into the bout unbeaten in MMA, carrying Olympic gold, two NCAA Division I titles, and major expectations as a crossover heavyweight prospect. Sharaf changed the tone in one exchange, throwing a right hand and then landing a left hook that put Steveson unconscious.
The stoppage came at the 12-second mark, the third-fastest knockout in UFC heavyweight history. Dana White rewarded Sharaf with $100,000 after the fight: a $50,000 “MobLand” bonus, plus another $50,000 from White.
Strickland’s celebration was not limited to Sharaf’s story. During fight week, he and Sharaf raised the 2019 case involving Steveson and former University of Minnesota teammate Dylan Martinez. Both men were arrested on suspicion of criminal sexual conduct after a woman reported a rape and later sought hospital treatment.
They were suspended from team activities while the matter was investigated. No criminal charges were filed. In December 2019, the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office said it could not prosecute because the available evidence did not meet the beyond-a-reasonable-doubt standard. Prosecutors also cited legal limits in Minnesota at the time involving intoxication and a person’s capacity to consent.
The decision was not a finding that the reported incident did or did not happen, and neither Steveson nor Martinez was convicted in connection with the investigation. Strickland referenced that distinction in a second X post after the knockout. He wrote: “Gable ‘May of occurred, may not of occurred’ At this point I think its only fair to let Miguel Torres back in the UFC. Call it the twitter loophole You cant make this shit up lol!!!!!!!!!!!! Bro hes acting like you got accused of violently raping a girl with your buddy in college…..”
The “Miguel Torres” reference points to a 2011 UFC controversy. Torres was cut after posting a rape-related joke on Twitter. Dana White said at the time that he could not defend the remark and called it disturbing. Torres later apologized and was reinstated within weeks, which is why Strickland called it a “Twitter loophole.”
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 19: Sean Sharaf knocks out Gable Steveson in a heavyweight fight during the UFC 331 event at Crypto.com Arena on September 19, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Steveson’s reputation was built long before he entered the Octagon. At the delayed Tokyo Olympics in 2021, he won the men’s freestyle 125kg gold medal. His UFC run had started fast, with four first-round wins before he met Sharaf. But UFC 331 showed the gap between elite wrestling credentials and a developed MMA game. Steveson did not get the chance to use his grappling; Sharaf caught him during the opening punching exchange and ended the contest before either man attempted a takedown.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 19: Sean Sharaf (L) of the United States fights Gable Steveson of the United States in their heavyweight bout during UFC 331: Van v Pantoja 2 at Crypto.com Arena on September 19, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)