Steveson Calls Out Sharaf After Assault Claim

Gable Steveson fired back at UFC 331 opponent Sean Sharaf for referencing a years-old assault allegation, calling the move a coward's tactic ahead of their heavyweight clash Saturday in Los Angeles.

Sharaf stirred controversy earlier this month when he questioned UFC content creator Nina Drama's promotion of Steveson and referred to the Olympic gold medalist as a rapist, according to MMA Mania. The comment referenced a 2019 incident in which Steveson and a University of Minnesota wrestling teammate were arrested on suspicion of criminal sexual conduct after a woman reported an assault. Hennepin County prosecutors declined to file charges six months later, citing inadequate evidence to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt. The allegation was never adjudicated at trial, and Steveson's attorney maintained his innocence throughout.

Speaking to reporters at media day, Steveson called Sharaf's decision to invoke the allegation a sign of weakness. "I'm here to win," he said, per MMA Mania. "I'm not here to joke around. I'm not here to sh—t talk. I'm not here to be rude to anybody. I'm here to win and go home, and that's my whole objective." He continued, "If a guy is going to bring up certain things, that's the coward coming out of him. It's a guy showing up of his own free will to say, 'Hey, I'm a sacrificial lamb,' and that's what he's going to be Saturday night."

The bout was elevated to the UFC 331 main card after Brian Ortega withdrew from his rematch with Renato Moicano. Both heavyweights will also appear at Thursday's press conference, giving them another platform to escalate the rivalry before fight night.

UFC 331 takes place Saturday at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, with Steveson making his second Octagon appearance against the former Marine.