Sean Brady overwhelms Gilbert Burns by decision at UFC Fight Night

Sean Brady overwhelms Gilbert Burns by decision at UFC Fight Night

  • Brett Okamoto, ESPN Workers AuthorSep 7, 2024, 10:16 PM ET

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    • MMA columnist for ESPN.com
    • Analyst for “MMA Dwell”
    • Lined MMA for Las Vegas Solar

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.