Sean Brady desires to go away little doubt he’s the subsequent man in line for the UFC welterweight title.
Present champion Jack Della Maddalena is anticipated to defend towards former light-weight champion Islam Makhachev later this 12 months, and Brady desires to be on the identical card as that title battle, particularly if it could all happen through the UFC’s annual journey to Madison Sq. Backyard in New York.
Brady’s most well-liked opponent? The undefeated Shavkat Rakhmonov.
“I seen by means of a bit of birdie that Shavkat was saying one thing about him coming again in November or December, so if he’s coming again in November, I wish to battle quickly, however I might wait and battle him at MSG on the identical card as Jack and Islam, after which that’s a real No. 1 contender’s battle,” Brady stated on The BradyBagz Present. “As a result of he was assured a Sean Brady calls out Shavkat Rakhmonov for ‘true No. 1 contender’ battle battle, I beat the No. 1 man, whoever wins that would be the true No. 1 contender, so I wish to do this. We’re going to achieve out this week and see if that’s an possibility.”
Brady is at present within the thick of the welterweight title chase on the power of a three-fight win streak capped off by a dominant submission win over former UFC champion Leon Edwards this previous March. He’s 18-1 as a professional, together with his lone loss coming to Belal Muhammad in October 2022.
Coming off of the Edwards win, Brady has been desirous to return to motion, however he’s been annoyed in his seek for an opponent.
“I’ve been making an attempt to battle since my final battle,” Brady stated. “They referred to as us a few month in the past and requested about me and Ian [Machado Garry] for Chicago. I used to be in, didn’t hear something from the UFC or something after that. So a few weeks go by, final week Lloyd [Pierson] reaches out—our supervisor who additionally manages Ian—they’re like, ‘What do you guys wish to do?’
“At this level, October 4, there’s rumors Joe Pyfer is likely to be on that card, won’t be on that card, I’m like, ‘Let me get on that card.’ That’s in Las Vegas. After which there’s a Vancouver card, I used to be like, ‘Or allow us to most important occasion that.’ Haven’t heard something again.”
A win over Rakhmonov would all however seal the deal for Brady’s championship hopes as Rakhmonov was poised to problem Muhammad for the welterweight title at UFC 310 earlier than Muhammad withdrew as a consequence of a bone an infection in his foot (Rakhmonov as an alternative went on to defeat short-notice alternative Ian Machado Garry).
Different choices on Brady’s radar are former champion Kamaru Usman or a rematch with Muhammad, although the rivalry between these two may take away them from the equation for now. In any other case, Brady additionally likes the sound of a battle with Colby Covington.
“It’s ass as a result of I used to be No. 1, now I’m No. 2,” Brady stated. “I used to be calling this child [Garry] out for months who’s No. 6, and nothing’s taking place. I’m not saying Ian’s scared to battle me. I don’t suppose Ian’s scared to battle anyone, however I don’t know what he desires or what’s going on with him. If he’s making an attempt to take a seat for a title, I don’t know what’s going on with that, however from what I’ve heard Usman and Belal are most likely preventing, in order that takes these guys off the desk for me. It simply sucks the place I’m at. I’m making an attempt to get a battle and I don’t wish to return too far. Ian’s already No. 6, so I don’t know who else is there.”
“I’ll say this additionally although, if I’m not going to get a high 5 man and Ian’s not going to battle me, I might like to beat Colby Covington’s ass,” Brady added. “I might battle him simply to remain lively. … I don’t just like the shit that he does. I wish to beat him the f*ck up. There’s nobody within the UFC I don’t truly like apart from Colby. I don’t like Colby, so I’ll beat up Colby.”