{
  "id": 8508189,
  "title": "Steveson Explains No Eye Contact During Final UFC 331 Staredown",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/steveson-explains-no-eye-contact-during-final-ufc-331-staredown",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-19T17:45:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/steveson-explains-no-eye-contact-174500403.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Gable Steveson is making every effort to live up to his hype at UFC 331 LIVE on Paramount+ from Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California. As a -2000 betting favorite for his second fight at the Octagon, Steveson has faced an inconsistent week due to Sean Sharaf's personal and controversial trash talk, as well as boos from UFC fans. Despite this, Steveson will have the opportunity to prove himself against Sharaf on the main card of UFC 331. While Sharaf may not be Steveson's most formidable opponent, he is the next name on the list that Steveson must defeat to improve his UFC heavyweight ranking. Oddsmakers are confident in Steveson's ability to win, but the 26-year-old still needs to deliver. With Jon Jones as his coach, Steveson has adopted some of the legend's strategies, such as refusing to make eye contact during the staredown at UFC 331's weigh-ins. Steveson believes this tactic is to make his opponent earn his respect, as Sharaf has not done so in any aspect of the fight game.",
  "summary": "Gable Steveson is doing everything in his power to live up to his hype this weekend at UFC 331 LIVE on Paramount+ from inside Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, Calif., and that includes channeling a Jon Jones-style staredown with heavyweight opponent Sean Sharaf. Steveson, who is a massive -2000 betting favorite to win his second […]",
  "key_points": [
    "Gable Steveson refuses to make eye contact during weigh-in staredown.",
    "26-year-old Steveson aims to improve UFC heavyweight ranking.",
    "Coach Jon Jones influences Steveson's staredown strategy."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}