Sean Brady Shocks London: American Underdog Taps Out Leon Edwards’ Brother in UFC Stunner

The O2 Arena in London fell silent this weekend as American grappler Sean Brady pulled off one of the most impressive submission victories of his career, choking out hometown hero Leon “Rocky” Edwards’ younger brother Farid in the fourth round. The upset victory marks Brady’s biggest statement win in the UFC welterweight division to date.

What started as a typical rowdy London UFC crowd ended with stunned British fans watching their countryman tap frantically to a picture-perfect guillotine choke applied by the Philadelphia native.

The Brotherly Revenge Angle Nobody Saw Coming

There’s an interesting subplot here that UFC matchmakers couldn’t have scripted better. Sean Brady’s victory over Farid Edwards comes at a time when Brady has been angling for a shot at welterweight champion Leon Edwards, Farid’s older brother and the pride of British MMA.

I’ve been following Brady’s career for years, and this performance was exactly what he needed. After suffering the only loss of his career to Belal Muhammad in 2022, Brady has been working tirelessly to climb back into title contention. Submitting the champion’s brother? That’s one way to get Leon’s attention.

How Brady Silenced The London Crowd

The fight didn’t start Brady’s way. Edwards, feeding off the electric home atmosphere, controlled much of the early action with crisp striking and excellent takedown defense that frustrated Brady’s wrestling attempts.

But as the fight wore on, Brady’s pressure became relentless. By the fourth round, Edwards’ gas tank showed signs of depletion – exactly what Brady was waiting for.

When Edwards attempted a lazy takedown of his own, Brady countered perfectly, snapping Edwards’ head down and locking in the guillotine choke that would end the fight. The tap came quickly, surprising even Brady who leapt up to celebrate while 20,000 British fans sat in shocked silence.

Post-Fight: Brady Calls His Shot

“I just beat Leon’s brother. Now I want Leon,” Brady declared in his post-fight interview, staring directly into the camera. “Nothing personal against the Edwards family, but I’m coming for that belt. Tonight showed I can hang with and finish elite competition.”

Brady’s callout echoed through the arena, drawing thunderous boos from the London crowd – music to the ears of any American fighter brave enough to venture into enemy territory.

What’s Next For Brady?

With this victory, Brady improves to 16-1 in his professional career and positions himself among the top contenders in the welterweight division. While a direct title shot against Leon Edwards might be a stretch, Brady has certainly put himself in the conversation for a number one contender bout.

Potential matchups could include the winner of Belal Muhammad vs. Shavkat Rakhmonov or possibly a showdown with former interim champion Colby Covington. Regardless of what’s next, Brady’s stock has never been higher.

The Edwards Family Rivalry

This loss is particularly painful for the Edwards family, who have been one of the feel-good stories in MMA. Leon’s journey from the dangerous streets of Birmingham to UFC champion has been well-documented, with younger brother Farid following in his footsteps.

The question now becomes: Will Leon look to avenge his brother’s defeat? Or will the champion stay focused on defending his title against the winner of Muhammad vs. Rakhmonov?

Whatever happens next, Brady has inserted himself into the Edwards family story in a way that can’t be ignored by the UFC matchmakers.

Fighters React on Social Media

The MMA world erupted on social media following Brady’s shocking submission victory:

“Sean Brady just put the entire welterweight division on notice. That guillotine was TIGHT!” – Gilbert Burns

“Tough night for UK MMA. Brady showed serious heart coming into enemy territory and getting it done.” – Michael Bisping

“I see holes in both their games. Line them up.” – Colby Covington

Brady’s performance didn’t just impress fans and fighters – it forced the entire welterweight division to recognize him as a legitimate threat to the throne.

A Star-Making Performance

For an American fighter to travel to London and submit a hometown favorite takes more than skill – it takes mental fortitude. Brady showed both in spades on Saturday night, cementing his reputation as one of the division’s most dangerous grapplers.

As Brady boards his flight back to Philadelphia, he does so with newfound respect from the MMA community and a much higher ranking beside his name. The question isn’t if Sean Brady will fight for UFC gold – it’s when.

Source: Al Jazeera