Gable Steveson was knocked out in 12 seconds by Sean Sharaf at UFC 331 in Los Angeles, suffering his first MMA defeat in a stunning upset. The Olympic gold medalist entered the bout as the biggest betting favorite to ever lose a UFC fight, and the loss came amid a turbulent week that saw renewed attention on a 2019 sexual assault allegation against Steveson.
Before the fight, Sharaf targeted Steveson personally during the pre-fight press conference, calling him "The Loophole," a nickname linked to the way Steveson's 2019 case was resolved. The allegation, which arose during Steveson’s college years, was never proven in court. Steveson was never charged with a crime, and the district attorney ultimately dropped the matter after thorough investigation. The case also included a separate Title IX review. Steveson’s own attorney has maintained that even if laws had changed since then, the outcome would have been the same.
The public reaction to Steveson's UFC 331 appearance was hostile. He was booed repeatedly at the press conference, ceremonial weigh-ins, his walk to the octagon, and even during his exit after the knockout loss. The negative atmosphere clearly compounded the impact of the defeat.
On Tuesday, several days after the fight, Steveson addressed both the loss and the resurfacing of the 2019 incident in a lengthy statement posted on Instagram. He wrote that he was speaking to those who know him beyond his role as an athlete—specifically his family and close supporters.
Steveson said the allegation was raised by Sharaf to "get in my head," reopening an issue that had been addressed years ago. He insisted, "I did not do anything alleged," adding that the allegations "were thoroughly and heavily reviewed" with his full cooperation. He reiterated that there were no criminal charges, convictions, or findings of responsibility against him, and said the matter is closed with no pending legal issues.
The fighter acknowledged the seriousness of such allegations and the questions they can raise when only parts of the story are known. He said he plans to focus on his family and his work moving forward.
As for the fight, Steveson congratulated Sharaf, admitting, "you caught me. A mistake on my end was made. It was your night." He compared this setback to earlier losses in his wrestling career, pointing to his ability to return stronger. "I believe [this loss] will catapult me to do the same," he wrote. "I will be great, and this won't deny me."
Steveson, 26, has not announced when he plans to return to the UFC or detailed next steps for his MMA career. The defeat has raised questions about his future in the sport, but his statement suggests he intends to continue and rebuild.
This was Steveson's second UFC fight, bringing his professional MMA record to 4-1. Sharaf improved to 5-2 with the win, handing Steveson his first professional loss in mixed martial arts.
According to Yahoo Sports.