Sean Brady made a significant statement in the UFC welterweight division by decisively defeating former champion Leon Edwards at UFC London. Brady dominated Edwards, ultimately submitting him with a guillotine choke in the main event on Saturday.
Stepping in on short notice after Jack Della Maddalena was removed from the card for a title opportunity against Belal Muhammad at UFC 315, Brady appeared to be the better-prepared fighter. He consistently took Edwards to the ground, showcasing superior grappling skills throughout the fight.
After three rounds of control, Brady capitalized in the fourth round, locking in a guillotine choke from top position – a signature submission. Edwards was unable to escape, tapping out at 1:39 of the fourth round. This victory marks the most significant of Brady`s career and the first time Edwards has ever been finished in a fight.
“It feels amazing,” Brady expressed regarding his win. “Honestly, I accepted this fight the day after leaving the hospital with my wife and our newborn. I knew this was a fight I was capable of winning. I believe I can perform like this against anyone in the division. I demonstrated it against a highly regarded former champion. I think I deserve to be in the top three, or even number one.”
At the beginning of the fight, Edwards initially displayed confidence in the clinch, landing short strikes against Brady. However, Brady`s persistent pressure led to a takedown late in the first round, though it was too late to launch a significant attack.
Once Brady secured that initial takedown, the momentum shifted entirely in his favor.
As the second round commenced, Brady aggressively engaged, quickly taking Edwards down again. From there, he improved his position, gaining Edwards` back and landing punches, setting up potential submission attempts.
A scramble resulted in Brady achieving side control, attempting a kimura. While Edwards defended, Brady concluded the second round with dominant ground and pound.
In the third round, Edwards attempted a takedown of his own, which backfired. Brady countered with a front headlock and proceeded to dominate Edwards on the ground with strikes and grappling control.
Brady relentlessly punished Edwards on the ground, leaving the former champion with no escape as the fight progressed. Brady`s continued dominance led to the decisive guillotine choke submission from top position.
Under mounting pressure, Edwards was forced to tap, securing Brady`s victory and advancing him closer to a potential title shot.
“I said all week I wasn`t focusing on it, but it`s pretty awesome knowing I`ll likely be ranked No. 1 on Monday or Tuesday,” Brady commented. “Whatever Dana [White] and Hunter [Campbell] decide, they gave me an incredible opportunity here. I appreciate all the UK fans, sorry for defeating your guy, nothing but respect. I`ll do whatever Hunter and Dana want next, but first, I`m going home to relax with my wife and newborn for a couple of weeks.”
Brady`s next steps are uncertain, especially considering a past loss to Muhammad. However, defeating a former champion like Edwards significantly strengthens his position in the division. Whether he receives a title shot next may depend on the timing of Muhammad`s fight against Della Maddalena in May and the status of other top contenders like Shavkat Rakhmonov.
