What happened: Gable Steveson's manager stated the Olympic gold medalist will rebound from his defeat at UFC 331. The representative compared his trajectory to fighters like Daniel Cormier and Arman Tsarukyan who overcame notable setbacks. Sean Sharaf knocked out Steveson in just 12 seconds on the main card.
Why it matters: The rapid stoppage presented a severe early hurdle in Steveson's mixed martial arts transition. Cormier previously criticized Steveson for leaving the cage before the official decision. The manager's comments aim to reset expectations following the heavily scrutinized heavyweight debut.
By the numbers: Sean Sharaf improved his professional record to 5-2-0 with the victory over Steveson. The 12-second finish stands as Steveson's first defeat in professional mixed martial arts.
What to watch: Steveson will return to training as he evaluates his next steps in the heavyweight division. The promotion has not announced a timeline for his second bout.