
Olympic wrestling gold medalist Gable Steveson suffered a brutal 12-second knockout loss to Sean Sharaf at UFC 331, marking the worst moment of his young mixed martial arts career.
Steveson, who won gold for Team USA at the 2020 Tokyo Games, was dropped and finished before most fans had settled into their seats. The stoppage came in his second appearance inside the Octagon, per ESPN.
The former Minnesota standout has struggled to translate his elite grappling credentials into MMA success. Wrestling accolades mean little when opponents land clean early, and Sharaf caught him cold before Steveson could impose his ground game.
The loss raises questions about Steveson's striking defence and whether his team will rethink the game plan ahead of his next bout. No timeline has been announced for his return to the cage.
Reported via:
More must-reads:
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!