One of the top contenders in the UFC welterweight division is contemplating a surprising shift to the lightweight category, despite narrowly missing out on the welterweight title. Recently, UFC returned to Madison Square Garden for the major UFC 322 event, which heavily featured the welterweight class.
In the main fight, Islam Makhachev emerged victorious over Jacques Della Maddalena to claim the championship. Other notable welterweight fighters on the card included Michael Morales, Carlos Prates, and Sean Brady, all aiming to solidify their positions as future title challengers.
After delivering an impressive submission win against former champion Leon Edwards, Sean Brady unexpectedly faced off against the up-and-coming Morales. A victory against Morales would have likely earned Brady a shot at the 170-pound title and marked his fourth consecutive win in high-stakes matches. However, Brady was knocked out in the first round, marking only the second defeat of his career.
Following this tough loss, which significantly impacted his title ambitions, the 33-year-old revealed he’s considering dropping down to lightweight depending on the opportunities available at welterweight. “I think I’ll try 155 pounds,” Brady told SteadyPicks. He added, “There are a lot of good fights at 155 pounds, but it also depends on what the opponent wants to give me at 170 pounds.”
Brady started his professional MMA career in lightweight but quickly moved up to welterweight, where he’s competed exclusively since. If he decides to remain at welterweight, he expressed interest in a rematch against former champion Belal Muhammad, who recently rebounded from a two-fight losing streak. Muhammad, who claimed the first loss of his career after a knockout over Brady, is now looking to regain footing after a defeat to Ian Machado Garry in UFC Qatar.
Fan Take: Brady’s potential move to lightweight shakes up both divisions, creating fresh matchups that fans crave. This shift highlights the dynamic nature of fighters’ careers and keeps the sport exciting as contenders seek new paths to championship glory.
