Anthony Wint Urges Sean Sharaf to Consider Retirement After Dominant UFC 332 Knockout

Anthony Wint, the former NFL linebacker turned UFC heavyweight, made another bold statement in the division with a stunning 23-second knockout at UFC 332 held in Salt Lake City. This marked Wint's fifth career finish under one minute during his undefeated nine-fight run.

Targeting Sean Sharaf for His Next Fight

After the swift victory over Lucas Armand, Wint immediately called out Sean Sharaf, who recently stunned fans by knocking out Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson in just 12 seconds at UFC 331. Speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show, Wint said he hasn’t yet spoken to his agent but made clear that Sharaf is the opponent he wants.

"Stylistically, it’s a step up. Sean’s better than the guys I’ve fought before. Obviously, he has experience. But it’s all on Sean," Wint said. "I saw the Joe Rogan podcast where Sean talked about retiring — and that’d be the smartest thing for him to do. Not saying anything against Sean, but I honestly don’t think he could be a world champion."

Wint added that while beating Steveson was almost unbelievable, he believes he has a bit more skill overall.

Training History and Approach

Wint revealed he has some history with Sharaf, as they trained together before Wint secured his UFC contract through Contender Series last August. He even helped Sharaf prepare for the fight against Steveson by simulating an aggressive opponent.

"I told him, ‘If I was Gable, I would go out there and try to take your head off, try to knock you out,’" Wint said. "Just like Gable and me against Lucas, I knew I could wrestle Lucas because his wrestling is weaker than his striking. But I wanted the knockout and the $100,000 bonus, so I’m always aiming for the KO."

Despite the challenge, Wint emphasized respect for Sharaf, hoping his callout won’t be taken negatively.

"There’s no beef. Sean’s a great guy. I hope he doesn’t take it with ill will. We’re just fighters, and while I’m calling him out and trying to steal his clout, I think it’s a very good fight with high risk and reward. It’s up to him."

Reflections on His UFC Journey So Far

At 31 years old, Wint boasts a 2-0 record in the UFC after signing in August. Although he enjoys quick finishes—only once going to decision—he wishes he could show more of his skills during fights.

"I feel like a crackhead after these fights," Wint joked, "I’ve had five wins under 40 seconds, and I train so hard with my team. I know I have more to offer."

He recognized that his recent opponents didn’t pose much threat, which allowed him to finish quickly, but he’s eager to face tougher competition as he climbs the ranks.

Awareness of Weaknesses and Growth Plans

Though Wint appears dominant, he openly acknowledges his limits and areas needing improvement, especially in cardio and experience. He spends much time focusing on those weaknesses in training.

"It’s going to be hard for guys without the capabilities and experience to beat me because I study myself well. When opponents look to exploit my inexperience or lack of cardio, we’ve been working hard to close those doors," he explained.

He mentioned that even legendary fighters like Jon Jones aren’t perfect every time, highlighting the importance of adapting to each opponent’s weaknesses first.

"I know I’m limited in some areas, but because I know them, I work on them. When opponents try to use those weaknesses, the path closes, and they have to find another way," Wint said.