LAS VEGAS, NV – SEPTEMBER 7, 2024: (RL) Shawn Brady knocks down Gilbert Burns of Brazil during a welterweight bout at UFC Fight Night: The Finals at the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
UFC APEX – Saturday night’s welterweight main event at UFC Vegas 97 between Gilbert Burns and Shawn Brady promises to be a tough fight.
Burns (22-7) has an impressive record that makes him an intriguing opponent for up-and-coming fighters, and this bout is no exception. He is on a two-fight losing streak, with those losses coming against rising star Jack Della Maddalena and newly crowned welterweight champion Belal Muhammad.
The UFC veteran has wins over big names like Jorge Masvidal, Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson, Tyron Woodley and Damien Maia.
Brady (16-1) will be hoping to take advantage of the distance against Burns and his No. 6 ranking. The No. 8-ranked Brady is coming off a submission win over Kelvin Gastelum in December and could move into the top five with a commanding win over Burns.
Round 1: Barnes put the pressure on Brady, who responded with leg kicks and jabs, pushing his opponent back. Brady had a clear speed advantage early on, and his timing was perfect from the get-go. Barnes found he had enough offensive power to land a takedown, which allowed Brady to get up.
The two danced back and forth on the fence, both fighting and turning over the fence. Most of the first round was wrestling, with both fighters trying to get the fight on the ground their own way.
Round 2: Brady went on the offensive with body kicks, but Burns landed a hard right punch that pushed Brady against the fence. Burns finally woke up and landed some hard punches, forcing Brady into a clinch and a takedown. The two spent most of the round dancing on the fence in the clinch.
They both traded shots and the round ended.
Round 3: Both fighters tried to take control of this one, but Burns fought knowing he was on the back foot. After some back-and-forth, they clinched and returned to the fence, with Brady landing punches at close range. Brady continued to look for a takedown, but Burns took his time, using his veteran striking knowledge to land punches at the right times.
Burns landed a big right punch that woke Brady up, and Brady tried his best to take him down, and he got it, but he didn’t have time to do anything.
Round 4: Brady fires off a jab and lands a low blow on Burns. Herb Dean calls a timeout. After a minute, Burns signals he’s ready.
Seconds later, Burns landed a low blow on Brady that was unintentional but entertaining to watch. When the bout resumed, Brady landed some hard punches on Burns. Brady returned to wrestling and attempted a single-leg takedown, but Burns blocked it.
After some back-and-forth, Brady wrestled Burns to the ground but couldn’t hold him down for long, forcing Burns to scramble and regain position, and the round ended in a clinch.
Round 5: Brady comes out strong and lands combos on Burns who is clearly looking for an opportunity to land the fight-ending shot. Brady combines punches with wrestling and finally takes Burns to the ground.
Burns tried to get to his feet with an omaplata and landed a big flying knee, but then got taken down again.
Brady took him down two more times, but both times time expired.
In the post-match interview, Brady criticized Ian Machado-Garry.
Result: Shawn Brady defeated Gilbert Burns by unanimous decision (50-45 x 2, 49-46)
