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\tLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 19: Gable Steveson reacts after a knockout defeat against Sean Sharaf 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)\t<\/p>\n
We may have just witnessed the greatest bit of schadenfreude in UFC history when Sean Sharaf<\/strong> instantly knocked out Gable Steveson<\/strong> (watch that here).<\/p>\n It was YUUUUUUUUUGE.<\/p>\n Steveson has not ingratiated himself to UFC\u2019s fanbase, which seems a little odd at first glance. The Heavyweight division desperately needs interesting new blood \u2026 and Steveson certainly qualifies. An Olympic gold medalist with knockout power should be an instant fan favorite, somebody who brings a fanbase with them already into the Octagon.<\/p>\n Alas, it\u2019s not so simple.<\/p>\n First and foremost, there\u2019s the alleged 2019 sexual assault incident, which has followed Steveson all fight week like a second shadow. Sharaf was quick to throw those allegations in Steveson\u2019s face, and Steveson\u2019s reaction was \u2026 unsettling? You\u2019ll notice he never really denied the accusations and instead labeled Sharaf a coward for bringing them up.<\/p>\n Then, there was this eyebrow-raising response during a fight week interview:<\/p>\n Gable Steveson on Sean Sharaf's comments at the press conference: — Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) September 19, 2026<\/p>\n A gifted orator he is not.<\/p>\n Old allegations are not the entire story. There\u2019s also an air of condescension that accompanied Steveson\u2019s joining the UFC roster. Like Bo Nickal<\/strong> before him, Steveson talks as if his wrestling accomplishments mean that he deserves a title shot already. In fact, MMA demands that everybody \u2014 including world-class wrestlers \u2014 pay their dues, and fans are always bothered when somebody thinks they get to skip the line. There\u2019s also the Jon Jones<\/strong> of it all. Training with the sport\u2019s most notorious sociopath is one thing, but Steveson outright copied his mannerisms.<\/p>\n It\u2019s an off-putting combination.<\/p>\n
"We gotta keep moving forward. We can't let a little something that may have occured, it probably didn't occur or whatever happened, just slow us down."
(via @aaronbronsteter)pic.twitter.com\/1kCQ3A2qqS<\/a> https:\/\/t.co\/eNoTxh547P<\/p>\n