HISTORY IN LONDON: Brady Shocks the World by Submitting Edwards at UFC London 2025!
Holy smoke, fight fans! I’ve been covering MMA for over a decade, and I’m still picking my jaw up from the floor after what went down at the O2 Arena yesterday. Sean Brady just did the unthinkable – submitting the previously dominant welterweight champion Leon Edwards in front of his home crowd at UFC London.
If you weren’t glued to your screen during this welterweight clash on Saturday, March 22, 2025, you missed what might be the biggest upset of the year.
The Submission That Shocked The MMA World
Coming into this fight, many (including myself) had Brady as a significant underdog. Edwards had been on an absolute tear since capturing the belt from Kamaru Usman. The Birmingham native walked into the O2 Arena with the crowd erupting, confidence radiating from him like heat from asphalt in July.
But Brady? Man, he had other plans.
The Philadelphia grappler executed perhaps the most perfect game plan I’ve seen in a welterweight contest since GSP was in his prime. After weathering Edwards’ trademark early striking barrage, Brady found his timing in the second round, securing a takedown that silenced the London crowd.
What followed was a masterclass in top control and submission hunting that culminated in Edwards tapping out to what appeared to be a beautifully executed arm-triangle choke. The O2 Arena fell into a stunned silence that you could practically feel through the broadcast.
What This Means For The Welterweight Division
Let’s not mince words here – the 170-pound division just got flipped upside down. Brady, previously ranked #6, has now potentially earned himself a title shot with this performance. Edwards’ path back to championship gold just got considerably more complicated.
The ripple effects will be felt throughout the division:
- Belal Muhammad, who was likely next in line for a title shot, might need to reassess
- Shavkat Rakhmonov suddenly finds himself in an even better position
- The UFC’s matchmaking board for the welterweight division probably looks like a conspiracy theorist’s wall right now
Fighter Reactions To The Upset
Social media exploded with fighters reacting to Brady’s shocking victory. Colby Covington called it “the luckiest submission in UFC history” (classic Colby), while Gilbert Burns praised Brady’s grappling as “world-class – I’ve felt that pressure and it’s different.”
Even Kamaru Usman, who knows a thing or two about facing Edwards, tweeted: “This sport will humble you quick. Respect to both warriors. The climb back is where champions are made.”
How Brady Pulled Off The Impossible
Brady’s victory wasn’t just luck – it was the culmination of a perfect strategy executed with precision. His camp clearly studied Edwards’ tendencies and developed a gameplan that neutralized the champion’s strengths.
| Fighter | Takedown Attempts | Successful Takedowns | Ground Control Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sean Brady | 7 | 4 | 8:37 |
| Leon Edwards | 1 | 0 | 0:22 |
Those numbers tell the story. Brady’s relentless pressure and grappling dominance allowed him to dictate where the fight took place. While Edwards has improved his wrestling defense dramatically in recent years, Brady’s approach was simply on another level last night.
What’s Next For Both Fighters?
For Brady, this win catapults him into the title conversation. Whether he gets an immediate title shot remains to be seen, but he’s certainly earned his place among the welterweight elite.
Edwards faces the tough road of a former champion. Does he take some time off to retool? Push for an immediate rematch? The psychological impact of being submitted in front of his home crowd shouldn’t be underestimated.
I’d personally love to see Edwards vs. Rakhmonov as a number one contender bout, while Brady could potentially face the winner of the upcoming Belal Muhammad vs. Jack Della Maddalena fight.
The Rest of UFC London’s Highlights
While Brady’s upset will dominate headlines, the rest of the card delivered some incredible moments:
- Paddy Pimblett continued his rise with a spectacular TKO victory
- Molly McCann rebounded with a signature spinning elbow knockout
- Tom Aspinall defended his interim heavyweight title with a first-round finish
But make no mistake – this event will forever be remembered as the night Sean Brady shocked the world and submitted Leon Edwards.
Final Thoughts: A Night To Remember
I’ve been covering this sport for years, and nights like yesterday remind me why MMA is the most unpredictable and exciting sport on the planet. Just when you think you’ve got it figured out, someone like Sean Brady comes along and flips the script entirely.
What did you think of Brady’s performance? Did you see this upset coming, or were you as shocked as I was? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!
And if you’re in the Brevard County area, come join us at The Fight Bar this Wednesday for our weekly UFC breakdown show where we’ll be dissecting this historic upset in much more detail!
Source: UFC London Image