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Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Heavyweight prospects Gable Steveson<\/strong> vs. Sean Sharaf<\/strong> will collide this weekend (Sat., Sept. 19, 2026) inside Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, Calif., for UFC 331.<\/p>\n Is Sharaf the man to pull off the upset? \u201cThe Smoke\u201d has yet to score a win in two trips to the Octagon, and he hasn\u2019t exactly been facing the cream of the crop. As a result, he\u2019s in position to score a monumental upset \u2026 or get smashed in the attempt!<\/p>\n Let\u2019s take a closer look at the betting odds and strategic keys for each athlete:<\/p>\n It goes without saying that Steveson could likely take down any opponent in the division if he really put his mind to it. With world-class wrestlers, the problems generally arise in holding opponents down and managing the gas tank, two areas where Steveson has yet to be tested. On the feet, Steveson is a vicious offensive force, though his defense is wide open.<\/p>\n One of the nastiest combinations of skill in mixed martial arts (MMA) is a wrestler who can kick well. The premier example, of course, is Jones, who found quite a bit of success by stymieing his opponents with a mix of distance kicking and close-range wrastlin.\u2019 Based on Steveson\u2019s debut performance, the 26-year-old super talent is following in his mentor\u2019s footsteps, because he toe-stabbed his opponents belly a dozen times in half a round.<\/p>\n That\u2019s the kind of offense that differentiates him from a slugger like Sharaf on the feet. Very few Heavyweights can take stabbing kicks to the stomach like that without collapsing in a fatigued heap. If Steveson doesn\u2019t want to wrestle right away \u2014 which is undoubtedly the safest path to victory \u2014 then kicking his opponent at distance until he wants to go home is another safe bet.<\/p>\n Sharaf is a brawler. The big man has decent hands, but he\u2019s struggled defensively thus far. In addition, his cardio hasn\u2019t held up particularly well, though that\u2019s hardly a rarity amongst unranked Heavyweights.<\/p>\n Is there any objective reason to believe in a Sharaf upset? He only has six pro fights; it\u2019s not like he\u2019s some veteran likely to take the wrestler into deep waters. Sharaf doesn\u2019t even like deep waters himself! The bright side is that Sharaf at least has power, which gives him a chance.<\/p>\n Given the overwhelming odds against him, Sharaf would be well-advised to keep it simple. He has to knock out Steveson, but that doesn\u2019t mean he has to swing for the fences with every punch and exhaust himself. If he can press forward confidently without getting reckless, he can probably convince Steveson to exchange with him in the center of the Octagon.<\/p>\n At least hope is alive in that situation.<\/p>\nSteveson vs. Sharaf Betting Odds<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Steveson vs. Sharaf Prediction<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Prediction: <\/strong>Steveson via knockout<\/em><\/h4>\n<\/p>\n