“I’ve definitely been looking at him for a while because I’m looking at everybody in the division, especially the guys ahead of me.” These words from rising UFC welterweight star Sean Brady (17-1-0) reflect his unwavering focus as he climbs the ranks of the 170-pound division. Currently sitting at #5, Brady has cemented himself as a formidable force, dismantling elite competition with his relentless pressure-based grappling. With each dominant performance, he edges closer to a well-earned shot at the title.
However, the road to contention hasn’t been without its challenges. The 32-year-old Philly native has endured his share of setbacks, with injuries being an unavoidable part of the fight game. But one injury in particular—a nose injury—forced him into an unexpected hiatus. What exactly happened? And how did it impact his career? Let’s dive in and uncover the details.
Did Sean Brady break his nose?
In late 2021, Sean Brady was riding the momentum of an undefeated professional MMA career, holding a flawless 4-0 record in the UFC. At UFC Fight Night 198, he was set to take on seasoned veteran Michael Chiesa (20-7) in what many—including the Philly native himself—believed would be a manageable test. However, the fight quickly proved to be far more challenging than anticipated. Right from the opening round, the veteran turned the bout into a grueling contest. He inadvertently poked Brady in the eye twice, yet referee Herb Dean refrained from deducting any points.
To make matters worse, Brady absorbed a vicious kick to the nose, causing a Nasal Fracture injury. Despite the pain and adversity, he relied on his grappling expertise, relentlessly securing takedowns to maintain control. The fight remained razor-close until the final bell, but when the judges rendered their decision, it was the American who walked away victorious. In his post-fight interview, he detailed the brutal experience of competing while dealing with a severe nose injury. “I looked at his back, and there was so much blood on his back,” Brady recalled. “Man, it was pretty bad. It was dripping into my throat. So I’m trying to breathe, and while I’m breathing, I’m sucking in blood.”
Sean Brady might be the only fighter Ive ever seen that does not make any type of face while exerting his body into punching someone in the face. #UFCVegas43 pic.twitter.com/vDwrKkKvR3
— MacMally (@MacMallyMMA) November 18, 2021
Sean Brady’s nose injury was nothing new. Like many fighters, he had taken countless blows to the face throughout his career. He even recalled suffering a similar injury while speaking about his time in underground MMA. In 2020, a similar nose injury forced the Philly native to withdraw from his scheduled UFC Fight Night 185 fight against Belal Muhammad.
After a full recovery, he finally squared off against Muhammad later in his career, following his grueling war with Michael Chiesa. However, the fight didn’t go his way, as the reigning 170lbs champ secured a second-round finish with a well-placed punch. But where does Brady stand now? Has he fully recovered from his injury? Let’s find out.
Sean Brady gives an update on his nose injury
Following his victory over Michael Chiesa, despite battling through a Nasal Fracture and internal bleeding, Sean Brady’s next fight against Belal Muhammad marked the first loss of his career, giving him a blemish. Though Brady had recovered from the broken nose, it remained compromised, leaving a noticeable mark. A few months after his bout with Chiesa, he shared an update on his recovery, posting a close-up picture of himself on Instagram.
“It might not look like it, but this crooked nose of mine finally works again. Can’t wait to be back to full training and ready to show off,” he wrote. Since then, Sean Brady has bounced back with a 2-1 record in his last three bouts, with standout wins over fighters like Kelvin Gastelum and Gilbert Burns. Now, he’s positioning himself for another shot at the title, hoping to settle his score with the current champion, Belal Muhammad.
This week, the Philadelphia native will face former champion Leon Edwards, who is coming off a loss to ‘Remember the Name’. With the UFC London event fast approaching, all eyes are on this crucial matchup. Do you think Sean Brady will continue his ascent toward the title picture? Who do you have winning in the upcoming London event? Drop your thoughts below!
The post What Happened to Sean Brady’s Nose? Does the UFC Star Suffer From Nasal Fracture? appeared first on EssentiallySports.
