3 next opponents for Sean Brady after UFC Vegas 97 victory

As a seasoned MMA fan with years of watching fights under my belt, I must say that Sean Brady’s performance at UFC Vegas 97 was nothing short of impressive. The guy is a force to be reckoned with and his win against Gilbert Burns only solidified his status as a rising star in the welterweight division.

At UFC Vegas 97, Sean Brady stepped into the Octagon for his ninth time, facing off against Gilbert Burns in the main event. As the eighth-ranked welterweight, Brady was riding high after his victory over Kelvin Gastelum and aimed to keep gathering steam by defeating Burns.

On Saturday night, I delivered a commanding performance, connecting with 130 significant blows and executing seven takedowns, as reported on the official UFC Stats website. The judges’ scores echoed the flow of the fight, with me taking home the win by a unanimous decision (50-45 twice and 49-46).

In October of 2022, Brady experienced a second-round knockout defeat at the hands of Belal Muhammad, who is now the welterweight champion. This single loss led some fans to criticize him as being overrated. However, since then, Brady has managed to quiet his critics by victoriously defeating Gastelum and Burns.

In the days ahead, it’s clear that Brady will make a significant impact in the UFC’s welterweight class. However, to secure a title fight, he’ll probably require at least two more victories given the current situation of the 170-pound division.

As I bask in the glory of my recent victory over Leon Edwards, claiming the welterweight title, it’s clear that a rematch isn’t warranted right away. So, when I step back into the octagon next, I might be facing Shavkat Rakhmonov, a formidable opponent who boasts an undefeated 6-0 UFC record, all of them being impressive finishes.

Currently, it remains uncertain what lies ahead for the top-ranked fighter, Edwards, and second-ranked fighter, Kamaru Usman, since there seems to be no demand for a fourth matchup between them.

Consequently, both previous title holders might face off against Jack Della Maddalena (ranked fourth) or Colby Covington (ranked fifth), or even an upcoming contender not currently in the top five. An important aspect to consider is when Muhammad decides to defend his belt for the first time.

After UFC Fight Night 97, Brady has joined the pool of contenders we’ve discussed earlier. Now, the question arises: Who would be a suitable opponent for him in his next UFC fight?

1. Ian Garry

Immediately following his victory, Sean Brady took center stage in the APEX Octagon and made the most of his speaking opportunity. In reference to future fights, he pointed out Ian Machado Garry, currently ranked seventh, as a possible adversary.

In the thrilling world of UFC, I stepped into the arena for the first time in November 2021, a promising contender with a strong background from Cage Warriors, ready to stir things up in the welterweight division. However, it wasn’t just my performances inside the Octagon that caught attention; unfortunately, off-the-matters outside the cage started casting shadows on me. Misleading rumors about my wife, Layla, being exploitative of me for money and fame began to circulate among fans, which I’ve had to navigate carefully.

Regardless of the negative noise, Garry continued to take out any opponent put in his path, leading to an 8-0 promotional record, including three wins by KO/TKO. The 26-year-old’s latest win was a unanimous decision against Michael ‘Venom’ Page at UFC 303 in June.

A fight between Brady and Garry could serve as a tough challenge for both upcoming welterweight competitors. In his recent bouts, Brady has demonstrated significant growth in his boxing abilities. It’ll be exciting to observe how his stand-up offense matches up against the technical finesse of Garry.

Instead, it can be said that Brady’s grappling abilities continue to pose a significant threat to any opponents he faces. Garry has demonstrated his resilience and difficulty in being defeated, but the question remains: how would he fare against Brady’s relentless aggression? A victory for either fighter would signify their growth into more versatile and competent combatants.

2. Colby Covington

After my triumphant victory at UFC Vegas 97, I stepped up for a post-fight interview. When the question about Colby Covington, currently ranked number five, came up, I couldn’t help but express my desire to engage in a bout with him. He’s just the most straightforward matchup in the division for me.

Previously, Covington was renowned as the world’s top 170-pound fighter outside of Kamaru Usman. Regrettably, he has only fought on two occasions since the start of 2022 – a victory by unanimous decision against Jorge Masvidal and a loss by the same method to then-welterweight champion Leon Edwards.

The main issue wasn’t that ‘Chaos’ lost to Edwards, but rather fans criticized him for escalating trash talk excessively and then delivering a subpar performance during the fight. Covington asserted that he injured his foot at the start of the first round, which hindered his ability to recover and perform according to his planned strategy.

At age 36, questions arise about how much of his prime performance Covington still possesses. However, it’s important to note that ‘Chaos’ boasts exceptional cardiovascular endurance and a formidable wrestling arsenal when he’s fit. The upcoming UFC bout for Covington could be crucial in determining the trajectory of his fighting career.

Brady vs Covington wouldn’t have massive stakes in the UFC welterweight division. Yet, the matchup would give Brady an opportunity to add a superstar and former interim champion to his resume. As for Covington, he could re-insert himself into the title picture at 170 pounds.

3. Jack Della Maddalena

Without a doubt, Jack Della Maddalena requires an opponent to spur him on towards a title challenge. At just 27 years old, he has been unstoppable, winning seven fights in a row, five of which were inside the distance. His impressive streak includes a third-round KO against Gilbert Burns in March, following his UFC debut in January 2022.

It seems that Della Maddalena is considering taking on one of his next three potential opponents – Shavkat Rakhmonov, Kamaru Usman, or Leon Edwards. If these fights don’t pan out, the Australian contender would need to battle someone who has generated a lot of interest in the fighting community instead.

Sean Brady might be a strong pick for Della Maddalena in their upcoming bout. Both these welterweight competitors are fresh off victories against Burns, and they aim to deliver another impactful performance to solidify their position as serious challengers for Belal Muhammad’s 170-pound title.

Della Maddalena hasn’t faced a grappling-focused competitor at the highest level of the welterweight class yet, which makes Brady an interesting adversary. On the other hand, Brady has grown more confident in his striking abilities and might use this opportunity to test them against the ever-threatening Della Maddalena.

A compelling argument for scheduling a match between Della Maddalena and Brady is to ensure both contenders stay busy while the top three fighters decide their next move. However, this could change if Della Maddalena faces Usman or Edwards instead, which is equally plausible.

Honestly speaking, it appears that Brady’s next match should involve either Covington or Garry. His recent performance suggests that he might benefit from another standout victory before being considered for a conversation about a welterweight title fight. We’ll see if the UFC’s decision-makers share this perspective.

2024-09-09 23:43

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