Sports · Combat Sports · 3 hrs ago
Cody East says Gable Steveson needs training changes after UFC knockout
Olympic gold medal-winning wrestler Gable Steveson was knocked out by Sean Sharaf at UFC 331 in Los Angeles.
The fight ended in 12 seconds, despite Steveson being a major favorite.
Jackson Wink teammate Cody East says Steveson rarely joined group classes and had not seen him spar before the loss.
East said Steveson mainly worked one-to-one with coaches Jon Jones and Greg Jackson and practiced with focus mitts.
East believes Steveson needs more live sparring to learn how he reacts when opponents punch back.
He offered to spar with Steveson and said the experience could help both fighters.
Steveson will need to make changes before he returns, East said, but no specific plans for his next fight or training were given.
Cody East says Gable Steveson needs to change his training after being knocked out at UFC 331.
East said he had not seen Steveson spar before the defeat and that Steveson rarely joined group classes at Jackson Wink.
He said Steveson should train against opponents who throw punches to learn how he reacts under pressure.
East offered to spar with Steveson, saying the training could benefit both of them.
Steveson was knocked out by Sean Sharaf 12 seconds into their fight in Los Angeles.
- Who
- Gable Steveson and Cody East. East offered advice and volunteered to spar with Steveson.
- What
- East said Steveson needs to make training changes after his knockout loss at UFC 331.
- When
- After Steveson’s UFC 331 defeat, described as having happened the previous month in the article published October 24, 2026.
- Where
- The fight against Sean Sharaf took place in Los Angeles. East discussed Steveson’s training at Jackson Wink.
- Why
- East said Steveson needs to experience opponents throwing punches so he can learn how he reacts and progress in his career.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Sean Sharaf knocked out Gable Steveson in 12 seconds in their fight in Los Angeles.
Cody East said Steveson needed training changes and offered to spar with him.
Bloody Elbow published its report ahead of East’s scheduled fight with Isaac Villanueva at BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing in Biloxi.
- Opponent
- Sean Sharaf
- Knockout time
- 12 seconds
- Event
- UFC 331
- Fight location
- Los Angeles
- Training gym
- Jackson Wink
- East’s scheduled opponent
- Isaac Villanueva
1 source
What people are saying
I believe there will be some changes, I mean, there’s got to be some changes for him to progress in his career.
Mitts are great and we can all look great hitting them, but what’s happening when someone is throwing back at you?
If he wants someone to throw bombs at him, I’m available!