UFC 331: 5 big takeaways after Joshua Van, Arman Tsarukyan, Sean Sharaf lead night of shocks and surprises
The five biggest takeaways from UFC 331 in Los Angeles, from Joshua Van's brilliant title defense to Gable Steveson's shocking knockout loss.
UFC 331 delivered a night of unexpected shocks and surprises, with five standout takeaways to consider from the event. First, the champion title of flyweight was solidified as Alexandre Pantoja faced Alexandre Pantoja, emerging victorious despite recent setbacks. The young champ's poise under pressure was evident, hinting at a bright future for the division.
Next, Arman Tsarukyan emerged as a dominant force in the lightweight division, leaving Mauricio Ruffy with no other choice but to gain the next title shot. Tsarukyan's versatility with tools like powerful elbows has made him a dangerous contender in the lightweight division. The second surprise, however, was the defeat of undefeated favorite Gable Steveson by Sean Sharaf.
Despite being an underdog, Sharaf showcased his skill and courage, knocking out Steveson just 12 seconds into the fight. This surprising upset energized the crowd and shocked even Steveson himself. Alonzo Menifield's resilience in the face of adversity was another notable aspect of the evening. Despite being knocked out in the first round against Iwo Baraniewski, Menifield displayed incredible mental toughness and physical endurance in holding onto his fighting spirit.
Finally, UFC 331 seemed like a breath of fresh air after weeks of stagnant organization, reminding fans that when the sport is at its best, it's like no other.
Written by urgent.news from Yahoo Sports's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
