Brace yourselves for a fight that’s as brutal as it is unforgettable! Steven Asplund’s UFC debut at Vegas 112 was a blood-soaked spectacle that left fans in awe—and his opponent, Sean Sharaf, in a world of hurt. But here’s where it gets controversial: Was this a dominant performance or a brutal display of aggression? Let’s dive in.
Earlier tonight (Sat., Dec. 13, 2025), inside the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, Asplund made his highly anticipated Octagon debut LIVE on ESPN+. Fresh off a jaw-dropping 16-second knockout on the Contender Series in September, the heavyweight contender wasted no time proving he belongs in the big leagues. His matchup against Sean Sharaf was nothing short of chaotic—a back-and-forth slugfest that had fans on the edge of their seats.
From the opening bell, both fighters came out swinging with everything they had. What’s surprising? Neither heavyweight showed signs of slowing down in the first round. Asplund, however, stood out with his relentless lead jab, which opened a gruesome cut between Sharaf’s eyes. And this is the part most people miss: Despite the blood pouring down Sharaf’s face, the cageside physician cleared him to continue after the first round. Was this the right call? Let’s just say the debate is still raging.
In the second round, Asplund turned up the heat. Aside from a brief pause due to an accidental low blow, he dominated the standup, turning Sharaf into a bloody mess. To Sharaf’s credit, he refused to go down, throwing Hail Mary punches until the referee stepped in for the TKO stoppage. But here’s the question: Did the ref stop it too late? Or was it the perfect moment to end the fight? Sound off in the comments—we want to hear your take!
Asplund’s performance was a wild mix of precision and raw power, leaving no doubt that he’s a force to be reckoned with in the heavyweight division. If you missed the action, check out the video highlights below and let us know what you thought of his debut.
Speaking of UFC Vegas 112, this event marked the final chapter of the ESPN+ era, and it did not disappoint. In the main event, Flyweight contenders Brandon Royval and Manel Kape clashed in a five-round war with title implications on the line. The co-main event featured a high-octane Featherweight showdown between Giga Chikadze and Kevin Vallejos, while the rest of the card delivered non-stop action, including a Middleweight battle between Cesar Almeida and Cezary Oleksiejczuk, and a Featherweight collision between Melquizael Costa and Morgan Charriere. The event kicked off at 7 p.m. ET with the prelims and 10 p.m. ET for the main card.
For complete results, coverage, and highlights of UFC Vegas 112, click HERE. And don’t forget to join the conversation—was Asplund’s debut a masterpiece of aggression or a step too far? Let’s debate!
