‘Psychological Warfare Is Real’: Sean Sharaf Reveals Jon Jones and Conor McGregor Inspired His Mind Games

Sean Sharaf walked inside the cage in Los Angeles as a +1200 underdog against a heavy favorite, Steveson. It took Sharaf only twelve seconds to knock out the two-time NCAA champion and one of the most hyped heavyweight prospects in UFC history with a left hook. 

Following his massive win, the ex-US marine became the headline. Sharaf revealed what inspired him through one of the biggest fights of his career. 

Sean Sharaf Took Inspiration From Jon Jones and Conor McGregor

In an interview with Weighing -In, Sean Sharaf revealed he didn’t even know his fight was bumped up to the main card until Brian Ortega got injured. 

He took a few shots at Gable Steveson in his first-ever UFC press conference and received cheers from the crowd. Many lauded Sharaf’s mic skills, and the 33-year-old revealed it was all deliberate as it appeared. 

Sharaf stated he has been studying psychological warfare from legends like Conor McGregor and Jon Jones for years. “Another part is psychological warfare. I've studied Jon Jones since..., and you saw José Aldo and Conor McGregor,” Sharaf said.

“That is a real thing. You say something before the fight, and if it irks somebody the wrong way, they're not gonna be thinking as level-headed,” Sharaf added. 

The legends are very well chosen. Jones built an entire career on getting inside the opponents’ heads. Meanwhile, McGregor is regarded as one of the greatest trash talkers in the history of combat sports, ranking with Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson. 

For Sharaf, interestingly, everything that he had learned from the legends worked that night. He delivered the biggest result of his career and announced himself in the heavyweight division.

What’s Next for ‘The Smoke’

Sean Sharaf has no ranked opponent confirmed yet. However, the Steveson upset has brought the 33-year-old into the limelight overnight.

At the top currently, Cyril Gane is waiting for a title shot, while Josh Hokit is also targeting the belt. Rizvan Kuniev vs. Alexander Volkov is also set and could be a contender fight. 

Sharaf is 1-2 in the UFC, and his journey has just started. Thus, it makes the next chapter very important. It is more likely that he will get a ranked opponent next after his stunning knockout. But fans will have to wait for an official announcement.