Steveson Gets Second UFC Fight

Gable Steveson will make a quick turnaround for his second UFC appearance, booked to face Sean Sharaf at UFC 331 in Los Angeles next month.

The Olympic gold medalist impressed on debut at UFC 329, stopping Elisha Ellison in the first round to live up to the considerable hype built around his training partnership with Jon Jones. Dana White hinted afterwards that Steveson could be fast-tracked into the heavyweight top 15 if he continued to develop.

Sharaf is 0-2 in the UFC, having been stopped in the second round by both Junior Tafa and Steven Asplund. He was originally lined up to fight Tai Tuivasa before a nasal fracture ended those plans. Prior to joining the UFC, he went 4-0 as a professional with all four wins coming by first-round knockout.

On paper, Sharaf presents a similar level of opposition to Ellison — a test Steveson is expected to pass comfortably as a heavy favourite.

UFC 331 is shaping up to be a loaded card. Charles Oliveira is rumoured to defend his BMF title against Arman Tsarukyan in the main event, with flyweight champion Joshua Van also expected to return against Alexandre Pantoja.