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Can Sean Brady overpower Gilbert Burns in his current career stage?
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    Can Sean Brady overpower Gilbert Burns in his current career stage?

    September UFC action kicks off this weekend at the UFC Apex with an intriguing welterweight matchup between two of the strongest grapplers at 170 pounds.

    One-time title challenger Gilbert Burns and rising contender Sean Brady headline Saturday’s UFC Fight Night event with the winner eyeing a spot in the top five in a division that is ruled by a new champion after Belal Muhammad’s recent win over Leon Edwards in July.

    UFC Fight Night


    Watch UFC Fight Night: Burns vs Brady on Sportsnet 360 and Sportsnet+, with coverage beginning at 5 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. PT on Saturday.

    Broadcast schedule

    Burns, 38, is coming off back-to-back losses to Muhammad in 2023 and Jack Della Maddalena in March. Burns was doing great against JDM — up two rounds on two scorecards and handling himself fine into the second half of the final round — before he was knocked out by his Australian opponent with a knee late. 

    A third consecutive loss would all but guarantee the respected Brazilian will not challenge for another UFC title for the remainder of his career.

    Meanwhile, Brady rebounded from a 2022 technical knockout loss to Muhammad by submitting Kelvin Gastelum nine months ago. The 31-year-old is 16-1 as a pro with his lone loss being the aforementioned one to the current champ.

    Burns is the No. 6-ranked contender at welterweight; Brady occupies the No. 8 spot. It could be a delight for fans of high-level grappling, yet Burns also boasts knockout power in his hands that can give Brady major problems if he is not vigilant on the feet.

    UNDERCARD OVERVIEW

    This weekend’s slate of fights is objectively higher quality and deeper overall than most Apex cards.

    Bonus hunters galore: It’s a shame several of the fighters featured on the main card have been relegated, so to speak, to an Apex-located event because Steve Garcia vs. Kyle Nelson, Matt Schnell vs. Cody Durden, and Trevor Peek vs. Yanal Ashmouz to name a few all have solid shots at resulting in a performance bonus or Fight of the Night award thanks to the fan-friendly style of fighting those athletes bring to the cage.

    Garcia has won four in a row by KO/TKO and Nelson is on a three-fight streak coming off a first-round stoppage win. Schnell is never boring, win or lose, and he’s facing Durden who is taking this fight on short notice and looking to snap a two-fight skid. Peek has lost two of three and went the distance in all three, but he can end a fight quickly with his power just like his 7-1 opponent Ashmouz.

    Ramaska vs. Fletcher take two: TUF 32 featherweights Zygimantas Ramaska and Nathan Fletcher both sustained injuries during the reality show but earned a showcase spot on a UFC preliminary card to show fans what they’re made of. Both fight at a fast pace and don’t back down, so it should be a good scrap.

    The 145-pound matchup was initially scheduled to take place at the Apex two weeks ago but was postponed as Fletcher was dealing with a medical issue on the night of the fight that prevented him from competing and the bout was rebooked.

    Silva fighting with heavy heart: The co-main event sees former strawweight champ Jessica Andrade taking on Natalia Silva, who will be fighting with a heavy heart following the death of her sister earlier this year.

    A 205-pound bout between Ovince Saint Preux and Ryan Spann was removed from the card earlier this week as Saint Preux deals with an illness.

    Below is the complete fight card and projected bout order for Saturday’s card:

    MAIN CARD

    — Gilbert Burns vs. Sean Brady (five rounds)

    — Jessica Andrade vs. Natalia Silva

    — Steve Garcia vs. Kyle Nelson

    — Matt Schnell vs. Cody Durden

    — Trevor Peek vs. Yanal Ashmouz

    — Rong Zhu vs. Chris Padilla                                                    

    PRELIMINARY CARD

    — Isaac Dulgarian vs. Brendon Marotte

    — Felipe dos Santos vs. Andre Lima

    — Yi Zha vs. Gabriel Santos

    — Jaqueline Amorim vs. Vanessa Demopoulos

    — Andre Petroski vs. Dylan Budka                                                         

    — Zygimantas Ramaska vs. Nathan Fletcher

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    Sean Brady and Gilbert Burns are two highly skilled fighters in the UFC welterweight division, both known for their impressive grappling abilities and well-rounded skill sets. However, the question remains: can Sean Brady overpower Gilbert Burns in his current career stage?

    Brady, a rising star in the welterweight division, has been on a tear in the UFC with an undefeated record of 14-0. Known for his strong wrestling background and slick submission game, Brady has quickly made a name for himself as a force to be reckoned with in the division. His most recent victory over Michael Chiesa showcased his ability to control the fight on the ground and outgrapple his opponent.

    On the other hand, Gilbert Burns is a seasoned veteran in the UFC with a record of 20-4. Burns is a former lightweight contender who has found success in the welterweight division, with wins over top-ranked fighters such as Tyron Woodley and Stephen Thompson. Known for his explosive striking and dangerous jiu-jitsu skills, Burns presents a formidable challenge for any opponent.

    In terms of their fighting styles, both Brady and Burns excel in grappling, with Brady having a slight edge in wrestling while Burns is known for his high-level jiu-jitsu. While Brady may have the advantage in terms of wrestling, Burns’ submission game could pose a significant threat to Brady if the fight goes to the ground.

    Ultimately, the outcome of a potential matchup between Brady and Burns would likely come down to who can impose their game plan more effectively. If Brady can use his wrestling to control the fight and avoid Burns’ dangerous submissions, he may have a chance at overpowering Burns. However, if Burns can utilize his striking and jiu-jitsu to keep Brady on the defensive, he could come out on top.

    In conclusion, while Sean Brady certainly has the skills and potential to overpower Gilbert Burns in his current career stage, it would be a tough challenge against a seasoned veteran like Burns. The fight would undoubtedly be an exciting matchup between two talented fighters with contrasting styles, making it a must-watch for MMA fans.