Gable Steveson has taken plenty from Jon Jones while preparing for his young MMA career. His wrestling transitions, striking development and cage awareness have all benefited from Jones’ experience. At the final UFC 331 faceoff, Steveson appeared to borrow something completely different from his mentor.The Gable Steveson UFC 331 faceoff became awkward when the heavyweight refused to look directly at Sean Sharaf. Steveson instead looked away while Sharaf stood directly across from him. The moment immediately drew comparisons with Jones, who has used similar tactics during several memorable faceoffs.
Gable Steveson Refuses to Look at Sean Sharaf
Steveson and Sharaf stepped forward for their final staredown after successfully making weight for UFC 331. Steveson weighed 240 pounds, while Sharaf came in one pound heavier at 241. Both heavyweights officially cleared the final requirement before Saturday’s fight.
However, Steveson showed little interest in a traditional staredown. He avoided locking eyes with Sharaf and maintained his composure during the unusual moment. The approach stood out after tension had already developed between both fighters during UFC 331 fight week.
Steveson Appears to Take Another Page From Jon Jones
The approach immediately carried similarities to Jon Jones, who has occasionally refused to give opponents the staredown they wanted. Steveson’s connection with the former UFC champion makes that comparison particularly interesting. Jones has played an important role in preparing Steveson for MMA.
Steveson recently explained that Jones has shown him different tools for his developing MMA game. He specifically mentioned staying calm and continuing to open the variety Jones has taught him. Fans following Jones can also read our latest update on the Dana White and Jon Jones UFC future.
Jon Jones Has Become an Important Mentor for Steveson
Jones began working closely with Steveson before the Olympic champion entered the UFC. Their relationship gives the heavyweight prospect access to one of MMA’s most experienced championship minds. Jones himself won UFC titles at light heavyweight and heavyweight during his career.
That experience becomes valuable because Steveson remains extremely inexperienced in professional MMA. He has only four professional fights despite his world-class wrestling background. Learning from Jones gives him someone who understands the technical and mental challenges surrounding high-level UFC competition.
Sean Sharaf Added Tension Before Their UFC 331 Fight
The build-up has not remained completely respectful between Steveson and Sharaf. Their interactions became noticeably more tense during fight week. That tension made Steveson’s decision to avoid eye contact during the final faceoff even more noticeable.
Steveson has largely avoided allowing the situation to change his approach. UFC’s official fight-week interview showed him focused on remaining calm inside the Octagon. He believes another dominant performance could determine how quickly the promotion moves him toward stronger heavyweight competition.
Gable Steveson Enters UFC 331 With a Perfect MMA Record
Steveson enters Saturday with a 4-0 professional MMA record. Every victory has come by knockout during the first round. His UFC profile currently lists four knockout victories and four opening-round finishes.
The 26-year-old made his UFC debut against Elisha Ellison at UFC 329 in July. Steveson earned another first-round stoppage but admitted afterward that his performance still contained mistakes. He has focused on remaining active and improving those areas before facing Sharaf.
Sean Sharaf Needs a Major Upset at UFC 331
Sharaf enters the fight with a 4-2 professional MMA record. He has struggled since reaching the UFC and now faces one of the promotion’s most heavily discussed heavyweight prospects. The matchup also represents a major opportunity to disrupt Steveson’s rapid rise.
UFC’s official betting information shows just how strongly the market favors Steveson. He entered fight day around a -1600 favorite, while Sharaf stood around +900. Those odds create enormous expectations around Steveson despite his limited professional experience.
Steveson Wants Another Dominant Performance
Steveson understands that his Olympic achievements have created expectations unlike most four-fight MMA prospects. He won Olympic freestyle wrestling gold before moving toward professional fighting. That background gives him an elite foundation, but MMA demands far more than wrestling.
Steveson told UFC that another dominant performance would help determine his next move. He believes his career could accelerate quickly after UFC 331. That could eventually place him against ranked competition if his development continues without major setbacks.
Jon Jones Influence Goes Beyond the Faceoff
The final faceoff provides an entertaining comparison, but Jones’ real influence becomes much more important inside the cage. Steveson already owns wrestling credentials that few heavyweights can match. His challenge involves developing striking, submissions and defensive awareness around that foundation.
Jones built his own success around adaptability and controlling fights in different positions. Steveson can benefit from learning that approach instead of becoming completely dependent on wrestling. Our top UFC heavyweight fighters of all time article also covers Jones’ place within the division’s history.
UFC 331 Gives Steveson a Bigger Stage
Steveson vs Sharaf was originally positioned deeper on the UFC 331 lineup. However, Brian Ortega’s withdrawal from his scheduled Renato Moicano fight changed the card. Steveson and Sharaf subsequently moved into the main-card lineup.
That change gives Steveson considerably more exposure during only his second UFC appearance. UFC 331 is headlined by Joshua Van defending the flyweight championship against Alexandre Pantoja. Arman Tsarukyan also faces Mauricio Ruffy in the five-round lightweight co-main event.
Steveson Is Still Learning Despite the Hype
Steveson has never attempted to hide his lack of MMA experience. He admitted after his UFC debut that several parts of his performance needed improvement. Staying active appears to form an important part of his development plan.
That explains why he returned only two months after beating Ellison. Steveson believes cage experience will help him recognize situations that wrestling alone cannot prepare him for. UFC 331 provides another opportunity to gain that experience without immediately facing a ranked heavyweight.
Could Ranked UFC Heavyweights Come Next?
Steveson has already acknowledged that his progression could accelerate quickly. He told UFC that a ranked matchup might become possible after another strong performance. However, he also understands that only four professional MMA fights leave plenty to learn.
That balance should remain important regardless of Saturday’s result. Steveson possesses an extraordinary wrestling background and trains around experienced MMA minds. Still, beating Sharaf would represent another developmental step rather than proof that he is ready for the heavyweight elite.
Final Thoughts
The Gable Steveson UFC 331 faceoff offered another glimpse of Jon Jones’ influence on the rising heavyweight. Refusing to stare directly at Sean Sharaf created an unusual final image before their fight. However, copying a faceoff approach is much easier than reproducing Jones’ success inside the Octagon.
UFC 331 gives Steveson another opportunity to show how quickly his MMA game is developing. His 4-0 record and four first-round knockouts have already created considerable attention. Another dominant victory could make the discussion around his next opponent far more interesting.
FAQs
What happened during the Gable Steveson UFC 331 faceoff?
Steveson avoided looking directly at Sean Sharaf during their final UFC 331 faceoff. The unusual approach drew comparisons with similar faceoff tactics previously used by Jon Jones.
What is Gable Steveson’s MMA record before UFC 331?
Steveson enters UFC 331 with a perfect 4-0 professional MMA record. All four victories have come by knockout during the opening round.
What is Sean Sharaf’s MMA record?
Sean Sharaf enters UFC 331 with a 4-2 professional MMA record. He faces Steveson in a heavyweight contest on the UFC 331 main card.
How much did Gable Steveson weigh for UFC 331?
Steveson officially weighed 240 pounds for his fight against Sharaf. Sharaf weighed 241 pounds, meaning both heavyweights successfully made weight.
When will Gable Steveson fight Sean Sharaf?
Steveson vs Sharaf takes place at UFC 331 on September 19 in Los Angeles. The fight appears on the main card, which begins at 6 a.m. Sunday in Pakistan.
