Joe Rogan Tells Sean Sharaf to Weigh Retirement After UFC 331

Joe Rogan is telling Sean Sharaf there's no shame in walking away from the UFC after the heavyweight's stunning knockout of Gable Steveson at UFC 331.

Sharaf, who entered the bout as a massive betting underdog, knocked out the Olympic gold medalist just seconds into the first round at Crypto.com Arena, handing Steveson the first loss of his MMA career. The result stands as one of the biggest upsets in UFC history. Sharaf had gone 0-2 in the Octagon before that night.

In the time since, Sharaf has said he's weighing retirement and has no interest in chasing a heavyweight title. Rogan addressed that directly when Sharaf joined him on a recent episode of The Joe Rogan Experience.

“Well if that's the case (and you are considering retiring), then definitely go and take mushrooms with your dog because the decision is going to always be entirely yours because it depends entirely on who you are and where you are,” Rogan told Sharaf. “There's nothing wrong with you walking away right now if you want to do that, so you have to think about it. And I think a moment like that is so big that you have to let it settle before you decide.”

What Made the Sharaf Upset So Significant

Sean Sharaf's knockout of Gable Steveson at UFC 331 wasn't just a surprise, it was a seismic result against a fighter the promotion had been building toward title contention. Steveson came in off his UFC debut earlier this year at UFC 329 carrying Olympic pedigree and a perfect record, and sportsbooks had him as a prohibitive favorite. Sharaf, a former U.S. Marine who won his first three pro fights by first-round knockout before signing with the UFC in 2024, needed only a left hook to end it.

That combination, a heavy favorite with hype behind him against a live-but-overlooked opponent, is exactly the kind of matchup bettors get burned chasing. Sharaf's finish is now a reference point for how fast heavyweight betting lines can blow up, and it's going to make oddsmakers and bettors alike more cautious the next time a prospect with a glossy record gets fed a live veteran on short notice.

Is Sean Sharaf Actually Going to Retire?

Sean Sharaf has not announced a retirement, but he's openly said he's considering it and has made clear he isn't chasing a UFC heavyweight title. Rogan's advice leaned toward letting the moment breathe before making a call, rather than pushing him either direction. For a fighter who just delivered the signature win of his career, there's a real argument for walking away on top rather than risking that signature moment getting diluted by a step back in the cage. If Sharaf does return, he'd do so as a legitimate draw and live underdog-killer rather than the overlooked 0-2 fighter he was walking into Steveson.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Sean Sharaf beat Gable Steveson at UFC 331?

Yes, Sean Sharaf knocked out Gable Steveson just seconds into the first round at UFC 331, handing the Olympic gold medalist his first career MMA loss.

What did Joe Rogan tell Sean Sharaf about retiring?

Joe Rogan told Sean Sharaf on The Joe Rogan Experience that the decision to retire is entirely his own and that there's nothing wrong with walking away after a career-defining win.

Is Sean Sharaf going to retire from the UFC?

Sean Sharaf has not announced a retirement but has said he's considering it and does not have championship aspirations after his UFC 331 win over Gable Steveson.