Olympic gold medallist knocked out in all-time UFC upset
Updated . First published at
Sean Sharaf has produced one of the biggest upsets in UFC history, knocking out Olympic gold medallist Gable Steveson in just 12 seconds.
Steveson, competing in his fifth professional fight after dominating at college and Olympic level as a wrestler, was dropped with a brutal left hook from Sharaf.
Sean Sharaf knocks out Gable Steveson. Getty
The 26-year-old went stiff on the canvas as Sharaf raced to finish the job and the referee immediately stepped in to wave it off.
Lead commentator Jon Anik described it as the “stunner of all stunners”.
Sharaf was a $12 underdog with bookmakers and Steveson the overwhelming $1.06 favourite as one of the sport’s most hyped new stars.
All of that hype went out the window for Steveson when he was left unconscious
“Oh my goodness, the way his head snapped back, he’s out cold,” Joe Rogan said, while former champion Daniel Cormier said it was “nasty” to watch.
Sharaf, a former US marine, was overcome with emotion after the bout.
“I’m not surprised mother f---ers,” he said.
“I feel amazing. I worked so hard, I prayed so hard, I believed in myself when nobody believed in me.”
Steveson managed to walk out of the octagon on his own accord.
The first-round knockouts continued on the UFC 331 main card, with veteran Patricio Pitbull stopping Doo Hoo Choi in dominant fashion.
In the co-main event, Arman Tsarukyan erased any doubt around his lightweight title credentials, flooring dangerous knockout artist Mauricio Ruffy.
Tsarukyan controlled most of the opening round with his grappling, despite copping an early shot that left him with swelling underneath his eye.
But with just seconds left before the first-round bell, Tsarukyan landed a thunderous elbow that set Ruffy’s lights out cold.
“He just knocked Ruffy into the shadow realm ... that’s just spectacular,” Rogan said on commentary as the Brazilian star laid flat on his back.
Arman Tsarukyan knocks out Mauricio Ruffy. Getty
Tsarukyan is now expected to earn a shot at lightweight champ Justin Gaethje.
In the main event, Joshua Van successfully defended his flyweight title in a rematch against former champion Alexandre Pantoja.
Van got the unanimous decision nod from the judges, who scored it 49-46, 49-47, 50-45 in favour of the young Burmese rising star.
