‘Lost all respect for that dude’: Pros rip Gable Steveson for leaving UFC 331 cage early after knockout loss to Sean Sharaf

Sean Sharaf's stunning upset knockout of Gable Steveson at UFC 331 was overshadowed by Steveson's sportsmanship, as the highly touted heavyweight prospect quickly exited the octagon rather than remain for the traditional result announcement. The 12-second knockout represented one of the most shocking upsets in UFC history, with the Olympic gold medalist and two-time NCAA Division-I wrestling champion unable to overcome Sharaf's aggressive approach.

Steveson's night was particularly humiliating given the buildup to the fight. Sharaf had aggressively attacked Steveson at a pre-fight press conference, invoking Steveson's past arrest on suspicion of sexual assault—for which Steveson was suspended from the Minnesota Gophers wrestling team but not criminally charged due to insufficient evidence. That animosity carried into the octagon, where Sharaf's superiority proved decisive and immediate.

The prospect's early departure from the cage drew swift criticism from the professional MMA community on social media, with fighters and personalities condemning both his knockout loss and perceived lack of respect for the sport's customs. The incident added another layer of controversy to what was already a devastating night for one of the sport's most hyped recent prospects.