Steveson's Manager Defends Fighter After UFC 331 KO Loss

Gable Steveson's manager Abe Kawa publicly defended the Olympic gold medalist after his stunning 12-second knockout loss to Sean Sharaf at UFC 331 in Los Angeles, comparing the setback to early-career losses suffered by Islam Makhachev, Georges St-Pierre and other UFC legends.

Sharaf entered the bout as a heavy underdog, but he spent fight week jawing at Steveson in interviews and press conferences, repeatedly bringing up a 2019 rape allegation against the wrestler and turning the Los Angeles crowd against him. The talk carried into the cage. Sharaf stalked Steveson from the opening bell and landed a clean left hook that put the two-time NCAA champion on the canvas before he could establish anything. Steveson left the arena before the official decision was even read, with the crowd booing him on the way out.

Kawa posted his response on Instagram, writing that "it's ok that Gable got caught," and adding that "it's ok that he was booed" and "it's ok his opponent talked s--t." He then rattled off a list of fighters who lost early and still became stars, noting that "Islam got clipped. Arman has lost. DJ has lost. Gsp lost. Dc lost. Jose Aldo lost," before promising Steveson "will be back real soon and he will be great."

What This Loss Means for Steveson's Heavyweight Push

Steveson's rapid ascent just hit its first real wall. He debuted in MMA in September 2025, fought only twice more before the UFC signed him, and won his promotional debut over Elisha Ellison by first-round knockout, though he absorbed heavy shots in that fight too. Sharaf's finish confirmed what that first UFC outing hinted at: Steveson's chin and defense are unproven against real heavyweight power, and the gap between amateur wrestling dominance and championship-level MMA is still wide.

The bigger question is how the UFC handles the rebuild. Steveson has walked away from setbacks before, having stepped back from pursuits in the NFL and WWE after prior disappointments. Kawa's statement reads like an attempt to get ahead of that narrative, framing one bad night as part of a pattern shared by eventual champions rather than a sign Steveson can't hang at heavyweight.

For bettors, this result is a reminder that hype-driven prospects carry real live-underdog value once they step in with anyone who can punch. Sharaf went off at +900, and anyone leaning on Steveson's wrestling pedigree alone got burned in 12 seconds. If Steveson returns, expect books to shorten his price only modestly until he shows he can take a shot, and expect his next opponent to draw more betting interest than a typical UFC underdog would against a fighter with his amateur resume.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened to Gable Steveson at UFC 331?

Gable Steveson was knocked out by Sean Sharaf just 12 seconds into their heavyweight bout at UFC 331 in Los Angeles.

What did Gable Steveson's manager say after the loss?

Manager Abe Kawa defended Steveson on Instagram, comparing the loss to early-career setbacks suffered by fighters like Islam Makhachev and Georges St-Pierre, and said Steveson will return and be great.

Was Sean Sharaf a big underdog against Gable Steveson?

Yes, Sean Sharaf entered UFC 331 as roughly a +900 underdog against Gable Steveson before scoring the 12-second knockout.