Top-10 welterweights collide at UFC Vegas 97.
Brazil’s Gilbert Burns returns to the main event spotlight for the first time in three years, slated five rounds or less against oncoming contender Sean Brady. Burns attempts to bounce back from the worst losing skid of his career at 2, hoping to turn his troubles around to one last run at welterweight gold, which he challenged for in his last headliner spot against Kamaru Usman.
Burns has fought a murderer’s row at 170lbs in recent years and the gauntlet continues in the form of the 16-1 Brady.
Brady would’ve been perfect in his UFC career had it not been for a TKO loss to current champ Belal Muhammad in 2022. The American picked himself up from the loss, gaining some momentum from a submission victory over ‘The Ultimate Fighter’ winner and former title challenger Kelvin Gastelum last December.
Burns vs. Brady from the UFC Apex is no title eliminator (with both men losing to Muhammad recently) but certainly a decent step closer towards the welterweight title.
Round 1:
A couple of leg kicks land for Brady. Burns eats a few jabs. Brady mixes in his strikes, going low with kicks and punches up top. Brady keeps Burns at bay with his jab but not for long as Burns shoots for a takedown. Brady is able to get back up to his feet almost immediately. Brady outboxes Burns in close quarters before they enter the clinch. Brady tries to trip up Burns with the Brazilian able to stay on his feet for the most part. Brady blitzes Burns as he clinches up with him against the cage.
Brady attempts a takedown with Burns defending well, not letting himself stay on the ground for long. Burns remains on his feet for the rest of the round, fighting for clinch position.
Christopher De Santiago scores the round 10-9 for Brady
Round 2:
Brady fires a body kick with Burns stunning Brady with a strike in return. Brady ties up Burns, recovering in the clinch. Brady tries for a takedown but isn’t able to get it against the cage. Brady hits Burns with a combo. Left hand lands for Brady. Burns swings big as he goes forward only to be grabbed by Brady in the clinch momentarily.
Brady attempts a takedown on Burns with “Durinho” getting up to his feet, firing on a takedown attempt of his own, which he nearly gets. Brady continues to find a home for his punches.
Christopher De Santiago scores the round 10-9 for Brady
Round 3:
The welterweights exchange kicks to kick things off in round 3. Brady punches to the body of Burns while in the clinch. Brady attempts a takedown but is denied by Burns, who separates. They engage on the feet for a short while with Brady entering the clinch with Burns once again. Burns lands a few big shots up the middle. Burns shoots for a takedown with the American defending, initiating a massive takedown on Burns, keeping him on the mat this time around.
Christopher De Santiago scores the round 10-9 for Brady
Round 4:
Burns is hit by a low blow, stopping the action for a moment. The action resumes, only to be paused again as Burns lands a kick on Brady’s crotch area this time around. Brady tags the legs of Burns with kicks. Left hand connects for Brady. Burns is hesitant to throw but whenever he does throw, it’s big for Burns. Brady clinches Burns against the cage. Burns separates for a few seconds, catching Brady with a few strikes, getting controlled again in the clinch after. They separate.
Burns gets taken down by Brady. Burns returns to his feet, getting taken down before getting up again. Brady and Burns scramble for position against the cage. Burns tries to slam Brady to the ground.
Christopher De Santiago scores the round 10-9 for Brady
Round 5:
Leg lick lands for Brady. Brady clubs Burns with shots over the top. Burns jabs Brady. The action is paused after a low blow from Burns. Brady sticks Burns with multiple punches. Brady works his leg kicks with Burns partially landing a flying knee in return. They clinch. Brady scoops up Burns for a takedown. Burns uses an omoplata submission attempt to get back up to his feet.
Brady dumps Burns back onto the ground with a takedown. Brady topples Burns, finishing the fight with one final takedown after Burns got back up to his feet.
Official result: Sean Brady defeats Gilbert Burns via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 49-46)
Check out the highlights below:
https://x.com/ufc/status/1832595343441297837
https://x.com/ufc/status/1832597840142455010
