UFC hype killer, Old Sharafserved a a good chunk of money at UFC 331 last night (Saturday, September 19, 2026) in Los Angeles, California; However, it won’t be enough to erase all the debts he incurred on his way to the top of mixed martial arts (MMA).
Sharaf’s ice-hot prospect Gable Steveson in just 12 seconds, knocking out the Olympic gold medalist with a massive left hook that left Steveson cold on the canvas (check out the incredible highlights here). The win was his first in the UFC, making him 1-2 since joining in October 2024.
Getting into the UFC and promoting the promotion during the first few years is a difficult financial proposition. Starting fighters often make $10k/$10k or $12k/$12k. Accordingly CSAC Disclosure Forms, Sharaf earned $30,000/$30,000 to fight Steveson on the main card of UFC 331, his first fight of 2026. The post that led to the map, “The Smoke,” shared his Experian financial tool dashboard: It shows he owes more than $688,000.
In the Instagram story following the win Sean Strickland shared a picture of Sharaf’s sleeping situation: a thin mat on the floor in an empty room. Strickland told him to get a cheap Amazon mattress for $300.
Sharaf replied that he would just buy an inflatable air mattress.
“After that $100,000 bonus you’re getting right now, it’s time to get a nicer mattress,” Strickland wrote. Finally Sharaf missed for an official performance bonus, but UFC CEO, Dana Whitethrew him a bone.
“They did a MobLand bonus tonight for $50,000” White said at the UFC 331 post-fight press conference (see it here). “That goes to Sean and I make another $50,000, so he gets $100,000. Somebody said he’s $600,000 in debt. We’re knocking $100,000 off the $600,000. All right, congratulations to him.”
“You’ve got to believe in yourself, and that’s bullshit, man,” he said. “You don’t get paid in the regionals. You get beat up all the time. You have to work full time and it’s like, man. And even if you make it to the UFC, like bro, I’m going to file for bankruptcy this year. I’m still in debt, it’s not even funny.
“I just want to help my mom retire,” he added. “And yeah, in the regionals, guys, they all struggle. But at the end of the day, if you want it bad enough, you stick it out and keep going and it will pay off one day.”
It is currently about 1/6 paid. Let’s hope Sharaf can keep this momentum going and make an even bigger dent in that debt.
