Anthony Wint Urges Sean Sharaf to Consider Retirement After Swift UFC 332 Knockout
Anthony Wint's Rapid Rise in the UFC Heavyweight Division
Anthony Wint made waves at UFC 332 in Salt Lake City this past Saturday, securing a knockout victory over Lucas Armand in just 23 seconds. This marked the fifth time in his undefeated nine-fight MMA career that he finished an opponent in under a minute. The former NFL linebacker, who once played for the New York Jets, wasted no time setting his sights on his next challenge: Sean Sharaf.
Wint Calls Out Sharaf and Questions His Championship Potential
During Monday’s appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, Wint expressed that while he hasn't spoken with his agent yet, his target is clear. Sharaf recently stunned the UFC world by knocking out Olympic champion Gable Steveson in only 12 seconds at UFC 331. Wint sees Sharaf as a step up from his previous opponents but doubts Sharaf’s ability to become a world champion.
"That'd be the smartest thing for him to do," Wint said about Sharaf retiring. "I'm not saying anything bad against Sean, but I honestly don't think he could be a world champion. It’s going to take a lot for me to get there too, but I believe I have a bit more than Sean."
Wint acknowledged the difficulty Sharaf had in beating Steveson, calling it nearly unfathomable.
Shared Training Background and Respectful Rivalry
Wint revealed he trained alongside Sharaf before earning his UFC contract through the Contender Series in August. He even helped Sharaf prepare for his fight against Steveson by simulating the role of an opponent during camp.
"I told him, ‘If I were Gable, I’d try to knock you out right away,’" Wint said. "Just like Gable, I knew I could wrestle Lucas, whose wrestling wasn’t strong. But I wanted to get that knockout and the $100,000 bonus."
Despite calling Sharaf out, Wint emphasized there's no personal animosity and would happily train with him again if a fight doesn't happen.
Wint’s Performance and Future Aspirations
Currently 2-0 in the UFC after signing in August, Wint is enjoying another quick win but feels he has more to show. He mentioned telling his coaches he feels like a "crackhead" because despite his rapid finishes, he trains intensely and wants to showcase more skills.
"I knew Lucas didn’t have anything for me, so once I started punching, I wasn’t going to stop," Wint explained.
Most of Wint’s fights end in fast finishes; only once has he gone to a decision, a split decision win over Omar El-Sahlah in March 2025. He understands his weaknesses well and focuses on improving them.
Self-Awareness and Continued Growth
Wint recognizes that experience and skills can make it tough for fighters to beat him. He studies himself carefully to identify vulnerabilities and dedicates much of his training to addressing these areas, including explosiveness and cardio.
"I know my limits, and I work hard to close those gaps," Wint said. "When opponents try to exploit those, the road closes, and they have to change direction."
Although he appears nearly unstoppable, Wint acknowledges no fighter is perfect, referencing former two-division champion Jon Jones as an example. For him, success lies in spotting and capitalizing on the other fighter’s weaknesses first.
