Steveson Eager for Early UFC Return Against Sharaf

Rising heavyweight Gable Steveson is preparing for his second UFC appearance at UFC 331, scheduled for September 19 at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California. He will face Sean Sharaf in a heavyweight contest.

Steveson spoke with MMAFighting.com, expressing his satisfaction with the booking. He stated his desire to remain competitive and fight frequently, opting for an earlier return than potentially waiting for UFC 334. He described Sharaf as a powerful but less mobile opponent, predicting he will not be able to compete effectively.

The betting odds strongly favor Steveson, listing him as a -1500 favorite, with Sharaf as a +600 underdog. Steveson possesses significant power and a superior grappling ability compared to Sharaf. A successful takedown early in the fight could lead to a swift conclusion, given Sharaf's difficulty in escaping from a dominant position.

However, Steveson's UFC debut against Elisha Ellison in July, though resulting in a first-round knockout win, was not without its challenges. He sustained some damage early in the bout. This performance raises questions about his ability to withstand the heavy hitters in the UFC heavyweight division if he cannot secure an early finish.