UFC chief Dana White comments on Gable Steveson's 12-second knockout at UFC 331
Dana White said the rapid knockout of Gable Steveson by Sean Sharaf underscores the sport’s unpredictability and noted the Olympic champion’s disappointment after leaving the octagon.
UFC president Dana White said the 12-second knockout of Gable Steveson at UFC 331 highlights how unpredictable mixed-martial-arts contests can be. Steveson, a former Olympic gold-medalist with a 4-1 MMA record, entered the bout as a heavy favorite, but Sharaf secured the victory in just seconds.
White told reporters that “anything is possible” when two fighters meet, emphasizing that outcomes cannot be predicted in advance. He added that he does not pre-judge the quality of a fight card before it occurs.
When asked about Steveson's immediate exit from the cage, White said the athlete was likely feeling the weight of his own expectations and that such reactions have happened before in the sport. He referenced a past incident where another fighter left the octagon after a win, noting that these moments are part of the game.
Steveson has not yet spoken publicly about the loss.