Sean Brady overwhelms Gilbert Burns by decision at UFC Fight Night

Philadelphia’s Sean Brady solidified himself as one of many prime welterweights on the earth on Saturday, outpointing Gilbert Burns in a five-round principal occasion in Las Vegas.

Brady (17-1) defeated Burns (22-8) through unanimous choice in the primary occasion of UFC Struggle Night time contained in the Apex. Brady, 31, maintained a gradual tempo all through the five-round combat and dominated Burns in each facet of the 170-pound contest. The judges scored it 50-45, 50-45 and 49-46 for Brady.

The win improved Brady’s mark within the UFC to 7-1. His solely loss got here to present champion Belal Muhammad in October 2022.

“He is robust as f—, however I really feel like I did higher work on the toes than on the bottom,” stated Brady, who is understood for his wrestling fashion. “He was robust to get down and powerful towards the fence. I needs to be ranked approach forward of [No. 7-ranked Ian Machado Garry] now. Clearly, I would like somebody within the prime 5 [next].”

Tempo was Brady’s pal on Saturday, as he maintained a gradual quantity of strikes and takedown makes an attempt towards Burns. In line with UFC Stats, he outlanded Burns 251-71 in complete strikes and tried 17 takedowns to solely six for Burns. He successfully labored his jab within the first half of the combat, and highlighted a fifth and ultimate spherical with a gradual food regimen of efficient leg kicks.

Burns, who unsuccessfully challenged Kamaru Usman for the championship in 2021, struggled to get something going over the 25-minute affair. He had a pair moments with boxing exchanges on the toes, together with a proper hand that appeared to stun Burns a bit bit within the second spherical, however his moments have been few and much between.

He additionally had a short window of alternative within the fourth spherical, when he almost took Brady’s again in a scramble within the ultimate minute. Brady calmly defended the place although and went on to win the body. Burns has misplaced three in a row — to Brady, Jack Della Maddalena and Muhammad.

Muhammad doesn’t have a title protection booked however is anticipated to face undefeated contender Shavkat Rakhmonov subsequent.