Sean Sharaf’s 12-second knockout of Gable Steveson surprised the mixed martial arts community. But according to Joe Rogan, the loss might have been influenced by more than just what happened inside the octagon.
During a recent episode of the Joe Rogan Experience MMA Show, Rogan and Sharaf discussed the massive upset victory. The podcast host pointed to Jon Jones’ involvement in Steveson’s camp as a potential factor in the former Olympic gold medalist’s downfall.
Sharaf entered the bout as a massive underdog at minus 2400 odds and revealed that he specifically prepared for Jones’ influence throughout his training camp.
“I was screaming the Jon Jones speech,” Sharaf explained, referencing the time Jones told Daniel Cormier there was nothing he could do to stop him from coming after him with the most effective techniques he knew.
The Marine Corps veteran said he even practiced defending against Jones’ signature crawling approach and oblique kicks, techniques that Steveson had adopted during his training at Jackson Wink MMA alongside the heavyweight champion.
“My whole camp I trained for him to crawl towards me like Jones does,” Sharaf said, noting that Steveson ultimately abandoned that strategy during the actual match.
Rogan suggested that Steveson may have fallen into the trap of believing he was the next Jon Jones, rather than developing his own identity.
“You can’t pretend that you’re the guy that you’re hanging out with,” Rogan told Sharaf. “Jon Jones is a very unique athlete. He’s a one of one.”
The podcast host elaborated on how Jones became great through years of progressive development, competing against tough opponents like Brandon Vera, Stephan Bonnar, and Matt Hamill before eventually capturing the UFC light heavyweight title at age 23.
In contrast, Steveson’s path to the UFC was fast-tracked based largely on his wrestling credentials.
Sharaf recalled seeing videos of Jones driving around with Steveson in a Mercedes, saying “tonight we collect a head” before the match.
“You of all people know not to underestimate someone,” Sharaf said, addressing Jones indirectly. “They made him think that he was next Jon Jones.”
Rogan agreed that this mindset proved problematic for Steveson’s development.
“If you believe it before it happens, you have to be cautious but also confident,” Rogan explained. “There’s this dance of the mind. There’s so much going on to be an elite athlete.”
The commentator also noted that Steveson’s decision to focus primarily on striking rather than utilizing his world-class wrestling was a critical error.
“I don’t even think he was thinking about taking you down,” Rogan said. “It’s like Wonderboy deciding not to kick.”
Rogan attributed this approach partly to the praise Steveson received after his first UFC victory, where he knocked out his opponent rather than relying on his grappling.
“Dana was praising him like he’s striking with guys, knocking guys out when he could be using his wrestling,” Sharaf recalled. “I think it just got to him.”
For Sharaf, the victory represented the culmination of years of struggle and sacrifice. The athlete revealed he had been sleeping on mats, staying in houses for 40 dollars a night, and even living in his car at times while preparing for the bout. He went eight weeks without any intimate relations, fully committed to what he called “Marine mode.”
The left hook that changed everything came just 12 seconds into the first round, landing perfectly on Steveson’s chin and sending the heavyweight prospect crashing to the canvas.
“I believed I was going to win,” Sharaf said. “I just hit him with that left hook and he fell. I was like, what is going on?”
