Burns vs. Brady: Did UFC Vegas 97 shake up the welterweight rankings?
The welterweight category in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has always been one of the most exciting and closely contested categories in MMA. Since GSP, whom many consider to be one of the best ever in the division, to Kamaru Usman and the new crop of talent, the 170-pound division has been delivering great fights. This event, UFC Vegas 97, that took place on September 14, 2024, was not an exception and offered fans an interesting match between the best welterweight contenders Gilbert Burns and Sean Brady. The two fighters went into the octagon with a lot to lose and gain in the fight. For Burns, it was an opportunity to come back into the division’s upper echelon after a defeat he suffered earlier in the year. For Brady, it was a chance to climb into the top five of the welterweight division and maybe even get a shot at a championship bout. The bout that was as expected proved to be significant in the UFC welterweight division. In this article, the author looks at the fight between Burns and Brady, the relevance of this fight to the welterweight rankings, the division’s title picture, and what is in store for Burns and Brady. Also, we will discuss the overall view of the welterweight division and the possible fights that can be arranged in the near future. Has UFC Vegas 97 upset the welterweight rankings? Let’s explore. The Fighters: Gilbert Burns and Sean Brady Gilbert Burns: The Veteran Warrior Gilbert “Durinho” Burns is one of the longest tenured fighters in the UFC’s welterweight division. Burns is an experienced fighter with a very high work rate, a large variety of skills, and a desire to face the toughest opponents. Although he started his professional career as a lightweight, his ascension to the welterweight category was the point of no return, which saw him become a real contender for the titles. Burns has a good background in BJJ, having won several BJJ world championships before turning full-time MMA fighter. In his career, Burns has proved that he is not only a wrestler but much more than that. Before joining Sanford MMA (now Kill Cliff FC) to be trained by Henri Hooft, he had great striking but had become even more lethal on the ground. As a result of his striking and grappling skills, Burns is a dangerous man for anyone at 170 pounds. Burns got his first title shot at UFC 258 in 2021 after building a good winning streak that included knockouts over former champion Tyron Woodley, submission artist Demian Maia, and the elusive Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson. However, his title challenge bout against Kamaru Usman ended in a third-round TKO loss. Nevertheless, Burns retained his position as one of the top five contenders and kept on pursuing the second opportunity. When UFC Vegas 97 came, Burns ranked #5 in the welterweight division list. Burns arrived at the fight on the back of a decision loss to Belal Muhammad earlier in 2024 and was looking to bounce back. His game against Brady was a turning point in his career—aanother defeat would take him even further away from a title shot, while a victory would bring him right back into the mix. Sean Brady: The Rising Phenom Sean Brady was one of the most promising prospects in the welterweight division in UFC Vegas 97. Brady entered the octagon with an undefeated record in his first 15 professional fights coming from Philadelphia. He has very good grappling, a high work rate, and steadily evolving stand-up game. Brady was able to keep the game most of the time focused on wrestling; his submission skills made his game hard to read for the opponent. He made his way through the UFC division rather quickly. Brady started to put together victories against some prominent opponents within the division, such as Court McGee, Jake Matthews, and former lightweight title contender Michael Chiesa. Nevertheless, his ascend to the top was stopped in 2022 when he suffered his first loss to Belal Muhammad, a fighter who has been around for quite some time and is famous for his pressure and late finisher. After the loss, Brady came back strongly with a victory over Neil Magny and entry into the #7 ranked welterweight division in UFC Vegas 97. A win over Burns would place him in the top five and would put him in the running for the title eliminator fight. For Brady, the stakes were high: this was his opportunity to make it into the upper crust of the division. The Fight: Burns vs. Brady The bout between Gilbert Burns and Sean Brady was one of the most intriguing at UFC Vegas 97. It was interesting to see the style difference between the two fighters as fans and analysts watched. Burns’ Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and dangerous striking would meet Brady’s wrestling and relentless top game. The bout itself was as expected, evenly matched, and only the climax was typical of each fighter, but it was Burns who had the better of it in the last push. Round 1: A Strategic Battle The first round started with both fighters taking their time in the ring. Burns started the fight in the center of the octagon and used his footwork and leg kicks to control the fight. Brady, whose strength has been his submission fighting, shocked some pundits by not shying away from the stand-up fight. He did connect with his left jab, which he scored in the first round and which threw off Burns’ timing. But Burns did not lose his temper and remained quite composed. He was able to land several big leg kicks that seemed to have an impact on Brady’s mobility. Every time Brady attempted to move in and put his punches to work, Burns would counter with a quick punch or a hook, keeping his man at a safe range. During the round, Burns was able to find the range with his overhand right, with increasing frequency. He
Gilbert Burns vs. Sean Brady: What does the result mean for the welterweight division?
In the ever changing world of mixed martial arts, especially in the UFC’s welterweight division, a single fight can change the path of the title, the position of the contenders and the history of the fighters. Closely contested bouts such as Gilbert Burns vs. Sean Brady are the type of fights that have the potential to set the division on its head. The two fighters had a lot riding on this fight and the result not only impacted the two men directly but also the future of the welterweight division. In this article, we’ll look at the fight itself, the aftermath of the fight, and what it means for the welterweight division. Also, we will look at possible future bouts for both Burns and Brady and for the rest of the contenders who are aiming to challenge for the UFC title. At the end of this exhaustive study, we will be in a position to understand the position of the division and how this outcome affects the hierarchy. Chapter One: The Fighters – Context and Importance Before we look at the result, it is important to know the background of these two fighters when they entered the Octagon. Gilbert “Durinho” Burns Gilbert Burns has been a part of the UFC for quite some time now and has earned his place as one of the most deadly and well rounded fighters in the welterweight division. Born as a Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) black belt, Burns has over the years built up his stand-up skills in order to become a versatile fighter. Burns was once a lightweight fighter and he got a new lease of life when he stepped up the welterweight division where he could use his strength and grappling skills to the fullest. This was when he got his biggest break in 2020 when he got a title shot against the welterweight champion Kamaru Usman. Even though Burns got defeated in the bout, he was still a popular fighter because of his grit and the thrilling exchanges in the fight especially when he stunned Usman in the beginning. Since then, Burns has faced elite level of competition and has kept on with his top five ranking after defeating fighters such as Stephen Thompson and Neil Magny. A win over Sean Brady will be another accomplishment in his career and may get him another title shot or a number one contender fight. Sean Brady Sean Brady is one of the new generation fighters of the UFC. Before this match, Brady had not lost a single fight and gained his reputation thanks to victories over such opponents as Jake Matthews and Michael Chiesa. Popular for his wrestling, grappling, and a very suffocating top game, Brady was seen as a dark horse in the welterweight division. However, he did not have the same popularity as Burns, but his skills and the fact that he had never been knocked out were telling of his abilities. This fight with Burns was a perfect opportunity for Brady to make a statement and establish himself in the welterweight division, get a shot at the title and make a name for himself. If Brady defeats Burns, he will establish himself as a serious contender and will get a chance to face big names such as Colby Covington, Khamzat Chimaev or even Leon Edwards based on the title situation. Chapter 2: The Fight – Scene by Scene and Tactical Analysis This was a highly anticipated match since both Burns and Brady provided a great style of fighting. Burns, who possesses lethal knockout punch and phenomenal grappling skills, was pitted against Brady who is known for his wrestling and ground control and this made for an interesting match up. Round 1: Testing the Waters During the initial round, both the fighters were quite reserved as they were still trying to gauge their opponent’s strength and strategy. Burns was using his movement to keep the distance and threw quick flurries of punches while Brady was trying to get inside and clinch with him. Brady, who is a wrestler, was probably trying to see how good Burns is at defending takedowns in the early stages of the fight. But, Burns stood his ground and the experience that he had made him hit the more powerful shots in the range. While Brady was somewhat effective in moving closer and trying to take Burns down, Burns was able to do a good job at stopping it. The first round was a fairly even battle, but Burns’ striking appeared to be the key factor as he was able to land several leg kicks and sharp jabs which put Brady off balance. Round 2: Momentum Shifts In the second round the fight started to get more exciting and less technical. Brady started to come forward with more intent knowing that he had to take the fight to the wrestling. He was able to drop Burns in the middle of the round but Burns’ BJJ was evident as he threatened with submission and was able to get back to his feet as quickly as possible. Feet, however, started to suit Burns and he began to get into the rhythm. He was able to land several strong punches that would stagger Brady, including a right hand that appeared to pain Brady. Recognising this, Burns went for the attack but Brady’s heart and chin allowed him to survive the storm. Nevertheless, it was noticeable that Burns was more effective in the striking department especially as the fight progressed and Brady began to slow down due to the energy that Burns was putting in. Round 3: Burns Takes Over. It was in the third round that Burns was seen to be taking the lead. He kept on connecting with the cleaner and more devastating shots, and although Brady was trying to close the distance and get the fight to the mat, Burns’ backpedaling and defense was sound. Burns even started to engage in his grappling which meant that Brady had
Burns vs. Brady: Breaking down the key takeaways from UFC Fight Night
The main event of UFC Fight Night featuring Gilbert Burns and Sean Brady was an interesting display of the best that the mixed martial arts (MMA) has to offer. The fight was one of the most significant bouts of two best welterweight fighters of that time with a huge impact on the future of this weight class. The two fighters were both bringing form and intent into the fight in an effort to further cement themselves as the elite of the division. Burns, who previously challenged for the title in the division, wanted to demonstrate that he remains a contender for the title at 170 pounds, while Brady wanted to score a victory that would put him at the top of the welterweight division. This article will discuss the major points of the Burns vs. Brady fight, examining the actions of the fighters, their decisions, and the consequences of the fight for the UFC welterweight category. We will also analyse how the results affect the further development of both fighters and the overall map of the division. The Fighters: The Background and the Expectations before the Fight Gilbert Burns: The Veteran Contender Gilbert “Durinho” Burns came to UFC Fight Night with a lot of experience and good skill which has placed him among the top fighters in the welterweight division. Burns, who started his career in BJJ, began to gain fame in MMA with explosive striking in addition to his superior grappling skills. Burns had previously scored wins over top contenders like Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson, Tyron Woodley and Demian Maia and he lost a title shot against Kamaru Usman in a 2021 bout. Before the bout with Brady, Burns had a clear intention to show that he still can compete with the best of the best at the 147-pound division. At 36 years old, Burns was already answering questions concerning the sustainability of his status as a top contender in a division full of young, ambitious fighters. A victory over another upcoming contender like Brady would definitely put to rest any discussion on the position of the fighter in the division and could prepare him for another shot at the title. Sean Brady: The Unbeaten Prospect On the other side of the octagon was the undefeated prospect in the welterweight division, Sean Brady. The Philadelphia fighter, Brady, was known to be a tough wrestler, with good stamina and a slow pace that tires his opponent out. Before UFC Fight Night, Brady was an undefeated fighter with a 15-0 record and had defeated such fighters as Michael Chiesa and Jake Matthews. Brady’s wrestling, submissions, and his ability to deliver the ground-and-pound had placed him as a top contender in the welterweight division. In Brady’s case, the bout with Burns was the most difficult of his career so far. A victory will help him to strengthen his position as a bona fide contender for the title, whereas a defeat will stall his progress and make people doubt his ability to challenge the best of the best in the division. Realizing the implications of the fight, Brady understood the fact that he had to be on his best performance to challenge a fighter like Burns. The Fight: Burns vs Brady: Analyzing the Case The fight between Burns and Brady was interesting and quite as expected, being a clash of two of the best welterweight fighters in the world. As expected both fighters came to the octagon with a clear strategy and from the fight it was seen that this was where each fighter excelled and where they were weak. Round 1: The Beginning – A High-Paced Episode The fight started with both the fighters trying to gauge the distance on the outside but the pace quickly picked up. It was immediately observed that Burns, who is known for his strong punch, moved to develop his jab and prepare for his heavy right hand. On the other hand, Brady, who knew that Burns possessed a good knockout punch, used footwork and head movement in order to not be knocked out early. What was apparent right from the onset was that Burns’ striking had not remained stagnant but was dynamic. Brady was never sure of the moves that Burns was going to make due to the feints and setups that he employed and Burns was more accurate with his punches than before. Nevertheless, all of Brady’s wrestling background was also seen during the match. In the first round, Brady tried to move in close to clinch range with the aim of getting inside the striking range of Burns and take the fight to the ground. The first round was more or less even with both the fighters getting good opportunities. Burns was able to get in several clean punches on Brady while Brady was able to take down Burns late in the round. But Burns, who is a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, was able to avoid most of the strikes and get back to his feet before the round ended. Round 2: Burns Takes Over In the second round Gilbert Burns started to gain the upper hand of the fight. As for grappling, Brady kept on posing a threat to Burns, but the latter was gradually increasing the effectiveness of his strikes. As the fight progressed Burns was able to utilise his leg kicks to make Brady more sluggish and his punches were beginning to connect more often. The second round proved to be quite dramatic and one of the highlights of the fight occurred when Burns was able to avoid Brady’s takedown attempt and turn the tables on him and get on top. In one of the rounds that were contested, Burns displayed his superior takedown skills to fend off Brady while maintaining top position to pound on him. Burns was able to dominate the fight on the ground while at the same time enjoying a striking advantage over his opponent on the feet which was a sign that he was slowly
