Putting on a record-setting performance in his first excursion into the Octagon, heavyweight scrapper Steven Asplund now stands as possibly the brightest unranked competitor in his division in the UFC.
Steven Asplund Enjoyed Stellar Rise on Regional Scene Before Capturing UFC Contract
Beginning his run on the pre-professional circuit in 2022, Steven Asplund garnered a major amount of success on the tough Minnesota amateur scene, racking up a perfect 6-0 record. This run of domination saw Steven Asplund end four of his wins inside the distance, including two third-round guillotine submissions. He also added much to his trophy case, scoring three heavyweight titles, one under the Midwest Cage Championship banner and two more whilst fighting in the Minnesota-based organization Ignite Fights.
Making his professional debut in November 2023, “Concrete” ended winning his first three bouts back-to-back, notably starting his stellar stint in the premier mixed martial arts promotion Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA). It was at LFA 194 in 2024, however, that Steven Asplund encountered his first taste of adversity, losing to the company’s future heavyweight champion Denzel Freeman by second-round submission.
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Freeman also would go on to start his own journey in the UFC this past November, defeating the then undefeated Marek Bujło by decision.
Taking the loss in stride, Steven Asplund rallied to string together a two-fight win streak over the next seven months, besting Hammer Morton and Raiden Kovacs. Now firmly back on his feet as a fighter, the heavyweight bruiser received the chance to contend for a UFC contract on Dana White’s Contender Series, making an appearance on the show later that fall.
Steven Asplund Snatches Contract, Becomes Fan-Favorite Heavyweight in Three Months
Stepping into the UFC Apex for his most high-profile scrap to date, Steven Asplund now found himself in the gaze of not only the UFC’s top brass, but also a wide international audience, with a phenomenal win possessing the potential to elevate his star-status to new heights. Standing across from him in the cage was none other than the then reigning Cage Fury Fighting Championship (CFFC) heavyweight king, Anthony Guarascio.
Undefeated by the time of his clash with Asplund, Guarascio had built up a presence as a budding name on the Florida circuit, collecting two first-round knockout victories in the CFFC, becoming their 265-lb king in the process. Getting his own opportunity to vie for a UFC contract, “The Daywalker” entered his match on the Contender Series with a great amount of experience, having fought as an amateur from 2011 to 2022.
Steven Asplund Stuns With Blistering First-Round KO, Wows in UFC Debut
Despite this discrepancy in perceived skill, Steven Asplund would shock the world by starching the CFFC heavyweight belt-holder in just 16 seconds, bludgeoning Guarascio in a breath-taking exchange of punches that left him helpless on the canvas. In no time at all, the Midwesterner had won not just a bevy of new admirers, but also his place on the UFC roster.
Making his highly-anticipated organizational debut on the last card of 2025, UFC on ESPN 73, Steven Asplund once more returned to the Apex to break into new ground as a top-professional mixed martial artist in the largest mixed martial arts entity on the planet. Putting on the UFC gloves for the first time, “Concrete” locked horns with Xtreme Couture product Sean Sharaf, who had already made his freshman outing to the Octagon in 2024 in a losing bid to Junior Tafa at UFC Vegas 98.
In what can only be described as a thrilling boxing battle, the two heavyweights went to war on the feet, battering each other over the course of two rounds, although it was Sharaf who was taking the most damage after taking an elbow to the face, causing blood to come pouring out. In the end, though, Asplund was able to wear out his adversary with his non-stop pressure, putting away “The Smoke” after a flurry of heavy punches to notch a victory in his first UFC tilt.
The triumph brought Asplund newfound fame amongst the promotion’s fan base for his captivating fighting style and his hilarious but also touching post-fight interview. The contest additionally netted both him and Sharaf a Fight of the Night bonus, sending the two men home with an extra $50,000 for their troubles. The accolades didn’t stop there, however, as Steven Asplund made history by scoring the most significant strikes in a three-round UFC bout with 168, cementing his prospect status in the division.
