UFC 331: Van vs. Pantoja 2 continues on the main card with a fight between Gable Steveson and Sean Sharaf in the heavyweight division. Check out our UFC 331 odds series for our Steveson-Sharaf prediction and pick.

Gable Steveson (4-0) has turned each of his four MMA appearances into a first-round knockout, most recently stopping Elisha Ellison with punches at 2:31 of his UFC debut in July. The Olympic gold medalist’s prior two wins also ended in opening-round stoppages, as he comes into his fight this weekend against Sean Sharaf.

Sean Sharaf (4-2) enters UFC 331 on a two-fight skid, most recently suffering a second-round TKO loss to Steven Asplund in December 2025. Before that, Junior Tafa stopped him in the second round of his UFC debut; all four of Sharaf’s wins have come by knockout as he comes into his fight this weekend against Gable Steveson.

UFC 331 Odds, courtesy of DraftKings.

UFC 331 Odds: Gable Steveson-Sean Sharaf

Gable Steveson: -2100

Sean Sharaf: +1100

Over 1.5 rounds: +400

Under 1.5 rounds: -620

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Why Gable Steveson Will Win

Gable Steveson owns the decisive stylistic edge because his Olympic-caliber wrestling gives him a reliable way to dictate where the fight takes place. Sharaf is a knockout-or-bust heavyweight, but he has little evidence of being able to prevent an elite wrestler from closing distance, securing takedowns, and controlling top position.

Steveson’s UFC debut showed more than just wrestling credentials. He dominated Elisha Ellison before producing a first-round TKO, proving he can translate takedowns into damaging ground-and-pound rather than merely holding position.

Sharaf enters on consecutive second-round TKO losses and has been stopped in both professional defeats. That makes him a dangerous but fragile opponent for a pressure fighter who can force him to defend shots, carry weight, and absorb strikes from dominant positions.

Steveson is also undefeated at 4-0, with all four victories ending in the first round. Sharaf’s four wins are likewise knockouts, but that power is less likely to matter if Steveson immediately eliminates open-space exchanges and makes wrestling the fight’s central theme.

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Why Sean Sharaf Will Win

Sean Sharaf’s upset route starts and ends with heavyweight volatility: one clean punch can change a fight, regardless of pedigree or betting price. He entered the UFC with four first-round finishes, so he has demonstrated the raw power to punish an opponent who makes a single poor entry.

Steveson’s wrestling credentials are elite, but he remains early in his MMA development with only four professional fights. Sharaf can exploit that inexperience by using feints, framing off the fence, and making Steveson pay whenever he shoots from too far away.

The key moment is the first takedown defense. If Sharaf can stuff or scramble up from Steveson’s initial attempt, he forces the favorite into a standing fight where his striking game is still developing and where Sharaf’s power becomes far more relevant.

Sharaf must also avoid backing straight toward the cage, which would make Steveson’s level changes far easier. Circling, throwing hard knees and uppercuts, and using a long guard could create the space needed to land a counter as Steveson closes distance.

Final Gable Steveson-Sean Sharaf Prediction & Pick

Gable Steveson should dominate this heavyweight matchup if he follows the obvious blueprint: close distance, wrestle immediately, and avoid extended exchanges with Sharaf. His Olympic-level wrestling and fast ground-and-pound showed up in his July UFC debut, when he controlled Elisha Ellison before earning a first-round TKO.

Sharaf has legitimate early power, and that is always relevant at heavyweight. But his two career losses have both come by second-round TKO, while Steveson has finished all four of his professional MMA opponents in the opening round.

Expect Steveson to pressure Sharaf to the fence, land an early takedown, and systematically work from top position. as Gable Steveson picks up another first-round TKO, with ground-and-pound ending the bout after Sharaf is unable to create space.

Final Gable Steveson-Sean Sharaf Prediction & Pick: Gable Steveson (-2100), UNDER 1.5 Rounds (-620)