Some major announcements regarding fight cards and matchups have recently been addressed by UFC CEO Dana White. Especially, the lower weight classes. Ilia Topuria has long been compared to Conor McGregor and his promotional moves sure feel reminiscent of McGregor’s rise to double champ status. Lightweight has gained a formidable fighter in Ilia Topuria and some interesting matchups lie ahead. The topic of discussion will target the Welterweight division specifically.
Welterweight has seen last-minute changes; Leon was set to fight hot streaking contender Jack Della Maddalena. JDM is now fighting Belal Muhammad for his Welterweight crown while Edwards will fight Sean Brady, a completely different matchup midway through training camp. Leon will be involved in consecutive matchups with grappling heavy fighters. This fight will also mark Leon’s first fight back since losing the title to Belal Muhammad. Leon and Sean will headline UFC London March 22nd in a pretty solid card.
Most fights involve a level of uncertainty that draws us in as viewers. Leon Edwards versus Sean Brady falls into that category. Leon is coming off an underwhelming performance against Belal where he didn’t look like the champion, we were becoming accustomed to seeing. He has been accused by the MMA community for having a weak mentality. Will he be able to bounce back against a young hungry contender? Before our questions get answered March 22nd, here is a look at how Leon Edwards and Sean Brady match up.
Fighter Profiles
- Leon Edwards: Otherwise known as ‘Rocky’ has had quite a career for himself thus far. Before losing the Welterweight championship, he hadn’t lost for almost a decade and created a legacy by dethroning a long reigning champion in Kamaru Usman and beating some contemporary rivals throughout his reign. Leon has a record of 22-4 and is a well-rounded mixed martial artist but is primarily known for his long range polished striking. He stands 6 feet tall with a 74-inch reach and fights as a southpaw.
- Sean Brady: Sean Brady has been a strong prospect for quite a while. Hailing from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Sean Brady has amassed a record of 17-1 with his lone loss coming at the hands of the champion. Brady is primarily a BJJ specialist with good fundamental boxing. Brady stands 5 feet 9 inches with a 72-inch reach and fights orthodox.
Fight Dynamics
- Stand-up: Leon Edwards is widely regarded as one of the best pure strikers in the UFC. He is a far more refined striker than Sean Brady at this point in their careers; if the fight stays standing Leon will likely showcase this gap in skill with his varied kicks, clean jabs from a distance, lateral movement and stance switches. Sean may be able to make Leon look vulnerable on the feet if he is able to get within boxing range and rough Edwards up. At times, Leon has shown lackluster boxing. Leon is extremely effective in the clinch and has good elbows and knees. In my opinion, the clinch could be a gray zone area and Sean will have to be careful with his entries or being clinched up for too long. Jiu-Jitsu specialists generally get their takedowns from the clinch or body lock.
- Grappling: This is Sean Brady’s domain and his primary path to victory in majority of his fights. Sean is very good at maintaining control of an opponent and is always looking for the takedown. He was able to showcase his high-level grappling in a big win against Gilbert Burns who is an elite grappler. Leon has shown great technique in the past when it comes to defensive wrestling and has a solid BJJ game himself. Sean Brady could gain the upper hand in this fight by mixing his boxing fundamentals with offensive grappling to push the pace similarly to what Belal Muhammad was able to do.
- Experience: Leon Edwards holds a massive advantage with the wealth of experience he has been able to obtain throughout his tenure in the UFC. Leon Edwards has fought the elite of the division since he was young and has been a champion that has defended the belt multiple times. Objectively, he is in his prime right now at 33 years of age and has already seen all styles in the octagon.
Leon Edwards and Sean Brady each have their paths to victory with the right game plan and attitude. In my opinion, the unknown in this fight is whether Sean Brady will be able to overwhelm Leon with offensive grappling and be able to work in close quarters with his boxing. Overall, there is strong indication that Leon Edwards will win this fight due to Leon being of similar age to Sean Brady, his polished skillset, experience and fight IQ that have developed throughout his career thus far. Leon is consummate professional and as long as he hasn’t sustained psychological damage from his fight with Belal, I believe Leon could knock off a hungry Sean Brady who is just getting his feet wet in the UFC.
References
SideKickBoxing UK – Sean Brady vs Leon Edwards: New London Main Event. Image retrieved from Sean Brady vs. Leon Edwards: New UFC London Main Event Set – Sidekick Boxing
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