{"id":345811,"date":"2025-12-15T01:48:10","date_gmt":"2025-12-15T01:48:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/345811\/"},"modified":"2025-12-15T01:48:10","modified_gmt":"2025-12-15T01:48:10","slug":"surging-ufc-heavyweight-prospect-makes-ufc-history-after-losing-260-pounds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/345811\/","title":{"rendered":"Surging UFC heavyweight prospect makes UFC history after losing 260 pounds"},"content":{"rendered":"

Of all the fights that took place at UFC Vegas 112<\/a>, an overlooked storyline may have just been heavyweight debutant Steven Asplund.<\/p>\n

Asplund (7-1 MMA) made short work of Sean Sharaf (4-2 MMA), needing just under nine minutes to secure a brutal second-round TKO at the UFC APEX.<\/p>\n

It wasn’t just any TKO stoppage, however, as Asplund made UFC history by surpassing former UFC Heavyweight Champion Andrei Arlovski’s significant strike counter with 170, as opposed to Arlovski’s previous record-setting 152, dating back over a decade.<\/a><\/p>\n

The news was later confirmed by MMAJunkie<\/a> following Asplund’s win.<\/p>\n

Steven Asplund Earned UFC Contract Via DWCS\"Anthony<\/p>\n

Anthony Gurascio vs. Steven Asplund. | (Ken Hathaway\/MMA Junkie)<\/p>\n

“I’m honored this is my debut and this is what the performance was \u2013\u00a0it’s just crazy,” Asplund said after the win in the Octagon.<\/a> “I told everyone in this heavyweight division I’ve got a gas tank that’s going to make you f****** sick. I used to be 525 pounds. I used to have a gas then, I have a gas tank now. I’m ready to shine.”<\/p>\n

Asplund wants those who are doubted or undervalued to remember they matter. He sruggled with a weight-loss journey that resulted in bullying, lack of self-esteem, and needing to find his life’s purpose throughout adulthood.<\/p>\n

“I’m an emotional guy, man,” Asplund said. “I just want every little kid that’s been bullied or felt like they’re not good enough or worthy, you are.”<\/p>\n

Asplund added being confident in who you are is the most important part of maintaining a source of happiness, not a weight-counter that is simply a number. As Asplund bluntly put it, it doesn’t define the true meaning of a person, but does recognize making a massive life change may end up benefiting in the longrun.<\/p>\n

UFC Heavyweight Division May Have A New Star\"UFC<\/p>\n

Jeff Bottari-Zuffa LL<\/p>\n

“You don’t have to be ashamed of your body. I look disgusting, I know I do and a lot of people have a lot of s*** to say… be confident,” Asplund said.<\/p>\n

Ultimately, though, an inspirational story may be a fitting end to a year that will see the UFC transition into the next overall phase of the UFC and the holistic evolution of MMA. Whether it’s a new television deal<\/a> or a fresh lineup of champions, things will look different next year.<\/p>\n

But, if there is one common denominator, it’s that the Minneapolis, MN native is here to stay in a division that is still in search of challengers to crack the Top 5.<\/p>\n

Maybe Asplund is next in line with a few more wins.<\/p>\n

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