Belal Muhammad Outlasts Sean Brady in Grueling Welterweight Clash at UFC Fight Night
The UFC Apex was electric on Saturday night as welterweight contender Belal Muhammad solidified his claim to a title shot with a hard-fought unanimous decision victory over Sean Brady in the main event of UFC Fight Night: Muhammad vs. Brady. The five-round battle, which aired live on ESPN+, showcased the resilience and skill of both fighters, but it was Muhammad’s relentless pressure and striking volume that ultimately tipped the scales in his favor.
Entering the octagon with a chip on his shoulder after years of being overlooked, Muhammad (24-3, 1 NC) extended his unbeaten streak to 11 fights, proving once again why he’s one of the most consistent performers in the 170-pound division. Facing him was Sean Brady (16-2), a grappling phenom riding a wave of momentum after a dominant submission win over former champion Leon Edwards late last year. The matchup promised a clash of styles—Muhammad’s high-paced striking against Brady’s suffocating ground game—and it delivered in spades.
From the opening bell, Muhammad set the tone with crisp jabs and low kicks, keeping Brady at bay and forcing the Philadelphian to fight on the back foot. Brady, known for his elite Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, looked to close the distance early, but Muhammad’s improved takedown defense—honed through years of training with the likes of Khabib Nurmagomedov—kept the fight standing for much of the first round. The Chicago native landed a stinging three-punch combination late in the frame, drawing a roar from the small but vocal crowd at the Apex.
“I knew he’d try to take me down, but I’ve been working on that for years,” Muhammad said post-fight. “I wanted to show I can hang with anyone, anywhere.”
The second round saw Brady find some success, finally securing a takedown after catching a kick and dragging Muhammad to the mat. For a moment, it looked like the tide might turn as Brady worked into half-guard, landing short elbows and hunting for a submission. But Muhammad’s scrambling ability shone through; he exploded back to his feet with just over a minute left, turning the tables with a flurry of strikes that left Brady bloodied from a cut above his left eye. The round ended with Muhammad pressing Brady against the cage, a visual that would become a recurring theme.
Rounds three and four were a testament to both fighters’ durability. Brady, visibly frustrated by his inability to impose his grappling, began to exchange more freely on the feet—a risky move against Muhammad’s pinpoint accuracy. A brutal knee to the body from Muhammad in the third staggered Brady, but the 31-year-old refused to wilt, firing back with a looping overhand right that briefly wobbled his opponent. The fourth saw Brady’s best moment of the night—a double-leg takedown that landed him in full mount—but Muhammad’s defensive nous kept him from taking significant damage, and he clawed his way back to standing by round’s end.
Entering the fifth, the fight was still up for grabs. Brady, with his corner urging him to “empty the tank,” came out swinging, landing a crisp uppercut that snapped Muhammad’s head back. But Muhammad’s cardio proved the difference-maker. Weathering the early storm, he regained control with a relentless jab and a series of leg kicks that slowed Brady’s movement. With under a minute remaining, Muhammad punctuated his performance with a takedown of his own—his first of the fight—sealing the deal as the final horn sounded.
The judges’ scorecards read 49-46, 48-47, and 48-47, all in favor of Muhammad, reflecting his edge in activity and effective striking. According to UFC Stats, Muhammad outlanded Brady 124-87 in significant strikes, with a notable 62-31 advantage in headshots. Brady landed three of his nine takedown attempts, but his 6:42 of control time couldn’t offset Muhammad’s overall output.
“This is my division now,” Muhammad declared in his post-fight interview with Daniel Cormier. “I’ve beaten everyone they’ve put in front of me. Give me the belt, or give me the champ—I don’t care which one comes first.” His callout was aimed squarely at welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, who was cageside and has yet to commit to his next opponent following a string of uneven performances.
For Brady, the loss snaps a three-fight win streak and stalls his momentum in the crowded welterweight title picture. “I thought I did enough in there, but hats off to Belal—he’s tough as nails,” Brady said, sporting a swollen eye and a disappointed expression. “I’ll be back stronger.”
The co-main event featured a lightweight scrap between Grant Dawson and Damir Hadzovic, with Dawson securing a third-round TKO after a relentless barrage of ground-and-pound. The 31-year-old Missouri native improved to 21-2-1, calling out Tony Ferguson in his post-fight remarks—a bold move given Ferguson’s recent skid.
Elsewhere on the card, women’s strawweight prospect Mackenzie Dern returned to form with a second-round armbar submission over Angela Hill, snapping a two-fight losing streak. Middleweight up-and-comer Joe Pyfer delivered a highlight-reel knockout against Alen Amedovski, flattening the Macedonian with a thunderous right hand just 1:12 into the first round. The prelims saw bantamweight Kyler Phillips edge out Marcelo Rojo in a back-and-forth decision that earned Fight of the Night honors.
With this win, Muhammad’s case for a title shot is nearly undeniable. His 11-fight unbeaten run includes victories over top names like Stephen Thompson, Vicente Luque, and now Brady, and his vocal campaign has only grown louder. Whether the UFC opts to grant him a rematch with Usman—who bested him via decision in 2019—or pits him against another contender like Colby Covington remains to be seen.
As the dust settles on UFC Fight Night: Muhammad vs. Brady, the welterweight division feels more wide-open than ever. For Muhammad, the road to gold is clearer than it’s ever been—and he’s ready to seize the moment. The UFC’s next event, UFC 314: Volkanovski vs. Lopes, looms on April 12, but all eyes in the 170-pound class are on what comes next for “Remember the Name.”
