Sharaf knocks Gable Steveson out cold
Gable Steveson was a 25-to-1 favorite and got knocked out cold by Sean Sharaf, then walked out of the Octagon before the hand raise. Daniel Cormier had something to say about that.
The one that matters
Cormier rips Steveson for leaving Octagon after Sharaf KO
The story of Gable Steveson's knockout loss to Sean Sharaf has moved to what happened after it, with Daniel Cormier calling out Steveson for leaving the Octagon before the hand raise. Justin Basch noted Steveson went in a 25-to-1 favorite. Adam Tirapelle backed Cormier and said in wrestling you shake hands no matter how much it hurts.
You cannot be a great winner, but then an ungrateful loser.
Why it matters: Wrestling's most decorated recent heavyweight is now a cautionary tale for wrestlers crossing into striking.
- Our take: Steveson's next move, cage or mat, is unannounced
On the mat
RAF 13: Marsteller beats reigning 79kg World champ, Teemer tops Aliyev
RAF 13 ended with three American wins over decorated international names, headlined by Chance Marsteller taking out reigning 79 kg World champion Georgios Kougioumtsidis 8-6 in his RAF debut. Marsteller scored the takedown that decided it inside the final 30 seconds, per Saturday Night Lights.
Jason Nolf is such a dawg.
Why it matters: RAF's American roster keeps beating World and Olympic medalists, which is the league's whole sales pitch.
- Nolf's next title challenger is still unnamed
Portal, commits and coaches
Blades gets 68kg senior spot as Final X match reportedly comes off
The Kennedy Blades vs Isabella Mir Final X match is not happening Friday, per Justin Basch, leaving Bassett vs Woods and Welker vs Guilford on the card. Basch says Blades takes the win and the senior-level spot, with Mir going to the U23 team. Nobody has said why the match came off.
Why it matters: The 68kg women's World team spot is settled without a match being wrestled.
- Friday: Bassett vs Woods at 65kg, Welker vs Guilford
- Confirmation from USA Wrestling on the 68kg change
What they're arguing about
Tirapelle and Spey push step-out for folkstyle, Sparks says call stalling
The takedown value argument turned into a step-out argument this week. Adam Tirapelle's three fixes, in order: liberalize control, kill overtime and make the first point the tiebreaker, and add an objective out of bounds penalty. Andrew Spey noted FILA only adopted the step out in 2005, after 100 years without it, while Shane Sparks said he would keep folkstyle rules and call stalling harder.
Competitors should be on empty at the end of 7 minutes.
Why it matters: Any of these would reshape how every college match is scored and coached.
- Our take: no rules committee action has been announced
Around the mat
RAF books Abu Dhabi debut, Chimaev headlines November 14
Real American Freestyle is going to Abu Dhabi on November 14 at Etihad Arena, with Khamzat Chimaev headlining. His opponent has not been announced.
Brent Metcalf era at Iowa State opens November 1
Iowa State says the Brent Metcalf era begins November 1 in Hilton Coliseum, with tickets on sale.
Frequently asked questions
What happened with Gable Steveson at the UFC event?
Gable Steveson was knocked out by Sean Sharaf and then left the Octagon before his hand could be raised, which drew criticism from Daniel Cormier and others who felt he should have stayed to show sportsmanship.
Who won at RAF 13?
Chance Marsteller won his RAF debut by defeating reigning 79kg World champion Georgios Kougioumtsidis 8-6, scoring the deciding takedown in the final 30 seconds.
What happened to the Kennedy Blades vs Isabella Mir match?
The Final X match between Kennedy Blades and Isabella Mir did not happen on Friday, and Blades was awarded the 68kg senior-level World team spot while Mir goes to the U23 team.
What rule changes are being discussed for folkstyle wrestling?
Adam Tirapelle proposed three changes including liberalizing control, eliminating overtime and making the first point the tiebreaker, and adding an objective out of bounds penalty, while Andrew Spey noted the step-out rule is relatively recent in international wrestling history.
Where is Real American Freestyle holding its next event?
Real American Freestyle is going to Abu Dhabi on November 14 at Etihad Arena, with Khamzat Chimaev headlining the card.