Jon Jones was left just as stunned as everyone else by Gable Steveson's shocking loss at UFC 331.
An Olympic champion who entered UFC 331 as one of the most ballyhooed heavyweight prospects in MMA history, Steveson suffered the first defeat of his pro career Saturday night at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, falling to Sean Sharaf by knockout just 12 seconds into their heavyweight bout. Sharaf connected with a picture-perfect left hand that sent Steveson tumbling to the canvas before the fight ever really began.
Steveson was listed as high as a -1800 favorite heading into the bout, making Sharaf’s shocking knockout the biggest UFC betting upset of all time at Draft Kings
Jones, who has worked closely with Steveson throughout his transition to MMA, was in his corner for Saturday's fight alongside coaches Greg Jackson and Brandon Gibson.
Cameras caught Jones' immediate reaction to the stunning result. The former two-division UFC champion stood frozen with his mouth open as he watched Steveson get knocked out, appearing to be in complete disbelief over what had just happened.
Jon Jones' reaction to Gable Steveson getting knocked out 🙁 #UFC331pic.twitter.com/zsV87Tlxthhttps://t.co/B43VwyUpR5
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) September 20, 2026
Steveson, 26, transitioned to MMA in 2025 on the heels of a decorated amateur wrestling career that saw him capture gold at the 2020 Olympic Games at just 21 years old. Steveson is also a two-time NCAA Division I national champion and two-time Dan Hodge Trophy winner, the award given annually to collegiate athletics' top wrestler.
He made his UFC debut in July with a two-minute stoppage of Elisha Ellison and entered Saturday's fight with a 4-0 professional MMA record with four first-round knockouts.
Sharaf, meanwhile, entered the fight winless in his previous two UFC appearances and as more than a 10-to-1 underdog at several sportsbooks. He was, in no uncertain terms, widely viewed as a lion being lead to slaughter.
But as the old adage goes, anything can happen in heavyweight MMA.