Sean Sharaf delivers one of the biggest shocks of UFC 331, knocking out Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson just 12 seconds into the opening round.
Gable Steveson and Sean Sharaf square off in a heavyweight clash at UFC 331 on September 19, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California. Steveson, enters the bout unbeaten in professional MMA and looking to build on his successful UFC debut. Sharaf, meanwhile, looks to secure his first UFC victory after two defeats inside the Octagon. However, the highly anticipated heavyweight matchup ends almost as quickly as it begins, as Sharaf shocks Steveson with a devastating 12-second knockout.
Gable Steveson opens the fight with a low kick as both heavyweights begin to feel each other out. Sharaf immediately looks composed, moving into range and looking for his opening. That opening comes almost instantly. As Steveson reaches out to parry Sharaf’s incoming punches, Sharaf fires a perfectly timed left hook that lands flush on Steveson’s chin, sending the Olympic gold medalist crashing to the canvas.
Sharaf immediately follows with punches on the ground, forcing the referee to step in and stop the contest just 12 seconds into the opening round. Sharaf’s perfectly timed left hook changes the entire trajectory of the fight in an instant, while Steveson now has his first major setback to overcome as he looks to rebuild his UFC campaign.
While the heavyweight clash between Sean Sharaf and Gable Steveson ends in just 12 seconds, Alonzo Menifield and Iwo Baraniewski go the distance in a hard-fought light heavyweight showdown.
Both light heavyweights start cautiously, respecting each other’s power before exchanging heavy shots. Menifield lands a solid right hand, but Baraniewski quickly answers with a left and begins finding his range. Baraniewski then connects with a powerful punch that backs Menifield up before rocking him again as he continues pressing forward.
Menifield ties him up to slow the attack, but Baraniewski quickly gets back to work after the separation. He hurts Menifield again and eventually takes the fight to the ground, working from top position and looking to advance toward mount. Menifield survives the danger and sees out the round, but Baraniewski finishes strongly with more offense.
Menifield comes out firing, immediately putting Baraniewski under pressure with a barrage of punches in round two. The pair eventually move into a clinch against the fence before separating and returning to a wild striking exchange.
Baraniewski continues finding success with counters, but Menifield keeps pushing forward and refuses to back down. Both fighters land clean, powerful shots, with Menifield finishing the round as the aggressor and connecting with a right hand across Baraniewski’s chin.
Before the final round begins, a doctor checks Menifield’s injured left thumb. The injury appears severe, but Menifield insists on continuing. Menifield immediately throws a quick combination before Baraniewski ties him up and presses him against the fence. The pace slows considerably as both fighters battle for position in the clinch. Menifield eventually reverses the position and puts Baraniewski against the cage, although neither fighter produces much offense during the prolonged exchange. With around 90 seconds remaining, the fighters separate and return to striking range. Menifield appears to have more energy late, landing jabs and pushing forward as Baraniewski struggles to maintain the same pace. Menifield closes the fight as the more active fighter, doing enough to edge a very close final round.
The victory gives Menifield his second consecutive win and hands Baraniewski the first professional loss of his career. It is also the first time Baraniewski goes the distance in his UFC career after his first three Octagon appearances all end inside 90 seconds.
Check out the UFC 331 results below.
UFC 331 Main Card
Joshua Van def. Alexandre Pantoja 2 via decision (49-46, 49-47, 50-45)
Arman Tsarukyan def. Mauricio Ruffy via first-round KO (4:56)
Patricio Pitbull def. Doo Ho Choi via first-round KO (3:28)
Sean Sharaf def. Gable Steveson via first-round KO (0:12)
Alonzo Menifield def. Iwo Baraniewski via split decision (29-28 x2, 28-29)
UFC 331 Prelims
Marlon Vera def. Charles Jourdain via third-round TKO (2:02)
Robelis Despaigne def. Tai Tuivasa via split decision (29-28 x2, 28-29)
Michael Aswell def. Joo Sang Yoo via split decision (29-28 x2, 28-29)
Ryan Gandra def. Ozzy Diaz via first-round KO (2:04)
Edmen Shahbazyan def. Brunno Ferreira via unanimous decision (29-28 x2, 30-27)
Casey O’Neill def. Eduarda Moura via submission (armbar) (R1, 3:22)
Joanderson Brito def. Giga Chikadze via first-round KO (1:56)
