Joe Rogan is no stranger to showing his animated reactions on his podcast after guests make wild claims. However, the UFC color commentator was visibly shocked after UFC heavyweight sensation Sean Sharaf admitted he is contemplating retirement following his viral knockout win last month.

Sharaf pulled off the third-fastest finish in UFC heavyweight history against Gable Steveson at UFC 331, in just 12 seconds of the very first round. The 33-year-old’s meteoric rise in stardom got him a seat across from Joe Rogan on his latest podcast episode. Impressed by the Palestinian-American’s rise, Rogan claimed that his path would eventually lead to a championship. But Sharaf’s admission of stepping away from the sport left the UFC commentator stunned.  

“Is it though, Joe?” Sharaf said on JRE MMA Show #186. “Everyone’s making it seem like this is just a f—king lucky punch, one shot. And, like, my thing is, I’ve always taken my journey, fight by fight. Like, I got out of the Marine Corps, and I was like, ‘Hey, like, I want to be a UFC fighter.’ And, like, it wasn’t like, ‘Oh, I want to be a champion,’ you know? It was just like, I just wanted to be in the organization and wear the uniform and just be able to f—ing say I did that. And the fact that I just lost those two times, like, f—k, like, they gave me the uniform, but it didn’t feel like it.

“And so now, like, to do this, the people are saying possibly the biggest upset in history, f—ing in my home, like, f—ing against all odds. I’m like, bro, like, can I beat that? Like, do you leave the table when you’re up? I’m told I’m not going to. I told Micah, the psych at the PI. I told Sergey, my training partner. I told Gokore. I told all these guys. I was like, ‘Hey, bro, if I win this fight, like, the way I’m visualizing, I might be good with that, because this is f—ing, like, that was it, you know?’” 

For Sharaf, it is not unreasonable to think that he cannot recreate the viral knockout against Steveson in the UFC. Before the breakout moment, the Californian went 0-2 in the promotion, losing both fights via finish. Plus, Sharaf shared he was $600K in debt before the fight due to gambling and an expensive vehicle purchase.

He found substantial financial relief after he received a $125K discretionary bonus for his performance in California, but he chose to give that money to his sick mother instead of paying off the debt.

From essentially heading toward getting axed from the promotion to becoming an overnight star is definitely an overwhelming sensation. This feeling could fuel fears of never achieving the same status again. In fact, this is not the first time Sharaf has talked about considering retirement. He floated the same idea on Bradley Martin’s podcast, saying he might walk away from the sport, preferably “leaving the table” on top.

Sharaf’s admission left Rogan speechless for a moment, but he asked again whether he was actually considering retirement. In response, the UFC heavyweight revealed one more reason, which is the existing injuries that made him lean toward considering retirement.

“Like, and then on top of that, I got a f—ing CT scan,” Sharaf said. “They’re saying I got some f—ing brain matter and shit. I’m f—g stitched up from head to toe. I got f—ing all types of injuries. Like, and I’m like, bro, what am I doing it for? Just f—ing for more money, for a belt? Like, what am I doing it for? That’s why I’m trying to figure out the answers myself.” 

Sharaf didn’t disclose the particulars of his injuries. But his words point toward his brutal showdown against Steve Asplund in December 2025. After brutal first-round action, Asplund earned a standing TKO victory at 3:49 of the second round, after which Sharaf was transferred to the hospital. 

The 33-year-old required mandatory CT scans and multiple stitches after the fight, and Dana White also shared his battered face on social media. 

That said, Sean Sharaf isn’t the only one who has dreamed of leaving the sport at the most glorious moment of their career. 

Justin Gaethje contemplated retirement after becoming UFC lightweight champion 

Just like Sean Sharaf, UFC lightweight Justin Gaethje had the most euphoric moment of his career this year. After almost a decade of fighting in the promotion, ‘The Highlight’ defeated Ilia Topuria at UFC White House in June to become the 155-pound champion.

Following that pivotal night, Gaethje is on the cusp of defending his belt against Arman Tsarukyan, which could happen early next year. However, the lightweight champ disclosed that the injuries he carried from the Topuria fight have compelled him to think about retiring from the sport.

“Everyone’s like, ‘Fking fight Arman.’ I don’t know what the fk [I’m doing yet]. I have injuries; I have to take care of- I haven’t made a decision. But I am 37 years old. My first fight was 2008. I’ve had 40 fights. So, I don’t know. I don’t know. Who knows? I don’t need to.”

Despite hinting at retirement, Gaethje made it clear that his return would take place against Arman Tsarukyan. But Sean Sharaf believes the time is perfect for the Arizona native to walk away from the sport at the most glorious peak of his career.

“I saw the same thing with Gaethje and Ilia, you know? I’m like, bro, that’s a f—king beautiful ending,” Sharaf said on Bradley Martin’s podcast. “Ride off into the sunset.”

For now, Sharaf seems to be content with his career in the UFC. However, only time will reveal whether he actually retires or returns to face another opponent who can propel him into even greater stardom.