Sean Brady got back on track with a lopsided decision win over Joaquin Buckley at UFC 328 on Saturday.
After a disappointing performance against Michael Morales that resulted in a knockout loss, Brady came back better than ever with multiple takedowns and just punishing Buckley on the ground across three rounds. There were several moments where it appeared Brady would get the finish but Buckley survived until the final horn, although there was no doubt who won the fight.
The judges ultimately scored
the contest 30-25, 30-25 and 30-27 for Buckley, who rebounds after a tough night at the office against Morales last November.
“I wasn’t mentally in that fight [against Michael Morales] but this fight camp for this fight, I was locked the f*ck in for 15 minutes,” Brady said. “[Kamaru] Usman couldn’t hold him down the way I did.
“I’m right back in this bitch. Everyone online chirping … if you ain’t riding with me, social media ain’t real, f*ck you! I’m a top five welterweight. I deserve this shit.”
An early takedown attempt from Brady was thwarted by Buckley as he showed off improved wrestling since his last outing against Kamaru Usman. But Buckley threw an ill-advised low kick and Brady immediately countered by taking him to the ground.
Brady quickly advanced his position to take the mount as he began hammering away on Buckley from the top. From there, Brady moved to side control as he started setting up a kimura submission and Buckley was just stuck underneath him with nowhere to go.
Buckley was able to slip free but he was still getting mauled on the ground as Brady just kept applying pressure until time ran out in the opening round.
As soon as the fight restarted, Buckley made the same exact mistake with another kick that was countered by Brady with the action hitting the floor again. This time, Buckley was able to scramble free but a moment later he threw another kick and he was taken down again.
Brady moved into amount again and started throwing punches from the top but many of the shots were deflected or not connecting. But it was overwhelming pressure and Buckley just looked like he had no chance to escape with Brady pressing down on him.
With five minutes remaining, Buckley’s coaches shouted at him to stop throwing knees and kicks but that didn’t stop Brady from slipping inside and getting another takedown. Brady advanced to mount and he was just battering Buckley with punches again.
Buckley could only cover up to try and deflect the punches as Brady was just punishing him relentlessly until the fight came to an end.
Brady has been a perennial contender at welterweight for the past few years but losses to Morales and Belal Muhammad have kept him from reaching a potential title shot. He returned to the win column on Saturday with hopes that he’ll build another streak that eventually ends with a shot at UFC gold.
