After Jack Della Maddalena’s move to UFC 315 where he’ll face the welterweight champion Belal Muhammad, it was up to Sean Brady, ranked #5, to step into the spotlight at UFC London. His opponent? Former champ Leon Edwards. Both fighters were eyeing a potential title shot in the competitive 170-pound division, though the likes of JDM and Shavkat Rakhmonov loom large.
The atmosphere was electric in the O2 Arena, but the early matches left fans hungry for action, with no knockouts and only a trio of submissions across the night’s card. Nevertheless, the buzz of anticipation built up as the main event drew near, especially following Molly McCann’s tearful farewell after a tough submission loss to newcomer Alexia Thairara.
As the fight began, Brady—an American on British turf—wasted no time bringing the battle to Edwards. He aggressively pushed forward, engaging Edwards in close quarters. They exchanged briefly before moving to clinch positions, where knees became a weapon of choice. Despite Brady’s efforts, Edwards expertly manipulated wrist control to keep Brady from doing serious damage. This tactic held strong, allowing Edwards to land impactful knees during clinches. Yet, as the first round drew to a close, Brady managed to turn the tables, ending on top after a late scramble.
In the second round, Sean Brady was relentless, diving into a double-leg takedown and briefly being stymied by the fence before dragging Edwards to the mat. Brady’s ground game was on full display as he transitioned deftly from the top to back control, securing a body triangle with ample time left in the round.
Though Edwards gave the London crowd something to cheer about by briefly breaking free, Brady’s grappling prowess shone through as he regained control, neutralizing Edwards’ attempts to strike back. Brady’s relentless pursuit of submissions kept Edwards in defense mode throughout the round. By the close, it seemed fortune favored Brady, even without a decisive blow.
Round three saw Edwards attempting to change the fight’s dynamic with a takedown of his own, only to find himself quickly countered. Brady capitalized, moving to mount and landing a barrage of punches. As Edwards attempted to escape, Brady threatened with a rear-naked choke, though Edwards showcased resilience by enduring till the round ended.
As the fourth round commenced, Edwards found himself needing a serious turnaround. However, it was Brady again who took control, successfully taking Edwards down, leaving him trapped and seemingly with nowhere to go. In a commanding display, Brady transitioned to a mounted guillotine, and Edwards had no choice but to tap out. With this victory, Sean Brady secured the most monumental win of his career against the top contender, despite stepping in as a late replacement.
The official verdict: Sean Brady defeated Leon Edwards via submission with a guillotine choke in the fourth round at 1:39.
