Welterweight insanity: Sean Brady or Leon Edwards within the Elite

Mar 21, 2025, 07:57 AM ET

Faculty basketball has taken heart level within the sports activities global this week, and it is a amusing time even for individuals who did not intently practice the months-long convention schedules. The NCAA match is a time to leap into the administrative center pool, take your easiest bet on the ones puzzling No. 8 seed vs. No. 9 seed matchups and sit down again and revel in a flurry of video games.

However why must best hoops enthusiasts revel in all of the Insanity?

Different sports activities additionally will also be taken care of into brackets matching up athletes from other leagues and other areas, permitting enthusiasts to suppose out of doors the field — or, in terms of MMA, suppose out of doors the cage. In fact, growing fable brackets in a struggle game might be bulky as a result of there are such a large amount of weight categories. So let’s simply make a selection one in all them — welterweight, the department of this Saturday’s UFC Battle Evening major tournament between former champion Leon Edwards and Sean Brady (ESPN+, major card at 4 p.m. ET, prelims at 1 p.m.).

We’ve got assembled our MMA bracketologists to kind throughout the best 10 welterweights within the UFC, in keeping with Brett Okamoto’s ESPN divisional scores, plus additions from PFL and Bellator. Opponents have been pitted towards each and every different in a head-to-head match to resolve who we consider would hypothetically earn the appropriate to chop down the web as our 170-pound winner.

MMA welterweight Candy 16 bracket

Candy 16

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0:55

Joaquin Buckley knocks out Stephen Thompson for giant win at UFC 307

Joaquin Buckley grabs an enormous knockout win in Spherical 3 over Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson at UFC 307.

(1) Belal Muhammad vs. (16) Michael “Venom” Web page

Winner: Muhammad by way of unanimous resolution

Story of the Tape

How Muhammad wins: This can be a nightmare matchup for Web page. As cunning as he’s within the hanging division, hanging is Web page’s complete recreation, and Muhammad has confirmed adept at neutralizing one-dimensional strikers along with his suffocating grappling assault. Fifteen mins of drive would depart an exhausted Web page having to take a look at Muhammad along with his hand raised in victory after a unanimous resolution. — Andreas Hale

(8) Gilbert Burns vs. (9) Geoff Neal

Winner: Neal by way of KO/TKO

Story of the Tape

How Neal wins: Neal is a kind of opponents who flies underneath the radar however is well probably the most hardest exams within the welterweight department. Towards Burns, Neal must protect early takedown makes an attempt and stay this battle status, the place he would have the benefit. Because the battle is going on, I might be expecting Burns’ fuel tank to expend with each and every failed takedown try, which might result in Neal choosing aside Burns at the ft. — Ian Parker

(4) Jack Della Maddalena vs. (13) Michael Morales

Winner: Morales by way of majority resolution

Story of the Tape

How Morales wins: Disenchanted alert within the first around. Della Maddalena has been very best within the UFC up to now, however his fresh wins have not been as convincing as his previous ones. After beginning his UFC profession with 4 first-round finishes, Della Maddalena has depended on two break up selections and a last-minute comeback towards Gilbert Burns at UFC 299 final March to stay undefeated throughout the Octagon. Morales is 25 years outdated and flying prime on self assurance. It is a difficult check — a ways harder than any he is confronted up to now — however Morales would edge out Della Maddalena in a aggressive matchup. — Brett Okamoto

(5) Sean Brady vs. (12) Carlos Prates

Winner: Prates by way of first-round KO/TKO

Story of the Tape

How Prates wins: This can be a vintage striker as opposed to grappler matchup through which each opponents are surging. Brady is extra established within the UFC, with a 7-1 file, whilst Prates is the relative newcomer who boasts a 4-0 file after breaking via on “Dana White’s Contender Collection” in 2023. The seeding makes this a lure battle for Brady since his lower-ranked opponent is arguably the most up to date commodity within the department. There is probably not a purer striker within the welterweight department with a knack for finishing fights throughout the distance than Prates. He is knocked out his previous 10 warring parties courting again to 2019, and Brady could be his subsequent hypothetical sufferer. Prates’ 4-inch top and 6-inch succeed in benefit could be put to make use of towards Brady. Brady would try to make the most of his grappling to floor the Brazilian, however Combating Nerd Prates would select off his opponent’s advances with pinpoint hanging. In the end, Brady could be damaged down and completed as Prates definitively pulled off the first-round disillusioned. — Hale

(2) Leon Edwards vs. (15) Jason Jackson

Winner: Edwards by way of resolution

Story of the Tape

How Edwards wins: On this matchup, Edwards would want to get off to an competitive get started along with his hanging and keep away from Jackson’s wrestling. I might be expecting a large number of clinching and counter-striking from Edwards in Spherical 1 after keeping off takedown makes an attempt from Jackson. At the ft, the battle could be aggressive, however Edwards has a better degree of pageant enjoy on his aspect and would recover because the battle went on. — Parker

(7) Ian Machado Garry vs. (10) Colby Covington

Winner: Machado Garry by way of unanimous resolution

Story of the Tape

How Machado Garry wins: Love him or hate him, you’ll’t deny that Covington has been probably the most easiest welterweights on this planet over the past decade. However that point appears to be finishing. He is change into probably the most least lively opponents within the department and is 2-3 in his final 5 bouts. Machado Garry, in the meantime, appears like a contender whose easiest days are nonetheless very a lot forward of him. The seeding works out fantastically right here, as this matchup would supply a number of industrial enchantment, bearing in mind the animosity Machado Garry feels towards Covington. Within the Octagon, the more youthful fighter would cruise over the older one to advance to the following around. — Okamoto

(3) Shavkat Rakhmonov vs. (14) Ramazan Kuramagomedov

Winner: Rakhmonov by way of second-round submission

Story of the Tape

How Rakhmonov wins: Even if Rakhmonov’s inventory took a slight hit after going the space for the 1st time towards Machado Garry at UFC 310 final December, the divulge that he used to be combating with a torn MCL must no longer pass disregarded. The Uzbekistan fighter would have little hassle dispatching the previous Bellator champion. It would not take lengthy for Kuramagomedov to appreciate there are ranges in MMA and Rakhmonov exists on any other aircraft completely with outstanding hanging and grappling. Kuramagomedov would do his easiest to make this an unsightly wrestling fit, however Rakhmonov would outwork his Dagestani opponent along with his hanging prior to gathering a rear-naked choke end in Spherical 2. — Hale

(6) Joaquin Buckley vs. (11) Stephen Thompson

Winner: Buckley by way of KO/TKO

Story of the Tape

How Buckley wins: We noticed Buckley placed on reasonably the efficiency towards “Wonderboy” in actual existence final October, and it is demanding to believe it going any otherwise on this hypothetical rematch. As just right as Thompson is at staying out of threat along with his lateral motion, Buckley’s athleticism and gear would counter that sufficient for a repeat KO win over Thompson. — Parker

Elite 8

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Edwards: Belal Muhammad talks like he is Mike Tyson

Leon Edwards insists he must get the following name shot at welterweight if he beats Sean Brady.

(1) Muhammad vs. (9) Neal

Winner: Muhammad by way of unanimous resolution

Story of the Tape

How Muhammad wins: A signature, standout win has eluded Neal up to now, but when there is something he is proven, it is that he is no longer a very simple out. He presented a stiff problem for the undefeated Rakhmonov once they fought in 2023, after which he fought the emerging Machado Garry to a break up resolution loss in 2024. This would not be a very simple win for the No. 1-seeded Muhammad, however in the end, he would get it carried out right here. The tempo, quantity and variety of Muhammad’s recreation make him a transparent favourite, even towards the ability and gameness of Neal. — Okamoto

(12) Prates vs. (13) Morales

Winner: Prates by way of third-round KO/TKO

Story of the Tape

How Prates wins: A struggle of 2 decrease seeds with extremely prime ceilings would finish throughout the distance. Prates’ endurance and silky-smooth hanging would frustrate the hard-charging, 25-year-old Ecuadorian, who would display his inexperience as soon as he discovered he used to be outmatched. Morales would change into overly wary, as he would not believe his floor recreation, and stay at the out of doors, getting damaged down by way of moves from Prates. As at all times, Prates would not press for the end, opting to set traps that Morales would sooner or later fall into. Morales is a tricky cookie however could be crumbled by way of Spherical 3. — Hale

(2) Edwards vs. (7) Machado Garry

Winner: Machado Garry by way of resolution

Story of the Tape

How Machado Garry wins: In what could be a strikers’ pride of a battle, the variability and motion of Garry Machado would pose an issue for Edwards. Edwards, who is understood for sluggish begins, could be slowed much more than same old by way of Garry’s leg kicks and lodge to hanging from the out of doors. We noticed towards Rakhmonov that Garry has just right sturdiness and is in a position to get himself out of any bad scenario. So long as he did not get stuck by way of Edwards in Spherical 1, Garry would get the win right here by way of resolution. — Parker

(3) Rakhmonov vs. (6) Buckley

Winner: Rakhmonov by way of unanimous resolution

Story of the Tape

How Rakhmonov wins: Buckley figures to be a well-liked sleeper select on this match, as he is were given the ability to knock any individual out right away and is blossoming lately. It appears like he is coming into his high, from a way of composure, decision-making and all-around method. Rakhmonov is simply merely an excessive amount of, although. He is as certified and threatening of a name contender because the UFC has, and his undefeated file speaks for itself. There’s no such factor as a assured select towards Buckley at the moment, however it is usually just about not possible to select another contender over Rakhmonov till we see it. — Okamoto

Ultimate 4

Shavkat Rakhmonov, left, confronted off with Belal Muhammad, proper, after Rakhmonov’s win over Ian Machado Garry at UFC 310. Picture by way of Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

(1) Muhammad vs. (12) Prates

Winner: Muhammad by way of majority resolution

Story of the Tape

How Muhammad wins: Not like Prates’ first-round matchup towards Brady, Muhammad is a greater drive fighter with sufficient hanging protection to keep away from strolling right into a knockout punch. It will be as much as Muhammad to keep watch over the tempo and save you Prates from working at the out of doors, the place he would gladly select the UFC welterweight champion aside. Muhammad would make this battle unsightly by way of pushing Prates towards the fence and dealing in takedowns — with some grimy boxing for just right measure. The champion’s clinch recreation would stay Prates in take a look at, very similar to how Magomed Ankalaev neutralized Alex Pereira with drive and clinch paintings previous this month. It would not be lovely — and enthusiasts would for sure jeer the loss of fireworks — however Muhammad would get the process carried out his method. — Hale

(3) Rakhmonov vs. (7) Machado Garry

Winner: Rakhmonov by way of majority resolution

Story of the Tape

How Rakhmonov wins: After seeing those two compete towards each and every different not too long ago, I consider the rematch would see Rakhmonov win once more — possibly much more convincingly. Rakhmonov reportedly had an harm that lessened his wrestling talent within the December battle, and to be fair, it did glance that method (no longer to remove the rest Garry did). The rematch could be any other chess fit, however a wholesome Rakhmonov would use his wrestling to supply a dominant victory. — Parker

Championship

(1) Muhammad vs. (3) Rakhmonov

Winner: Rakhmonov by way of majority resolution

Story of the Tape

How Rakhmonov wins: Unmarried-elimination tournaments are meant to produce aggressive championships, and we have now were given one right here. This matchup necessarily break up our citizens in part, and it would not be unexpected to look it break up the judges as neatly. Muhammad’s ability set can’t be denied. His recreation lacks completing prowess but additionally lacks holes — which is what carried him to a UFC name. Rakhmonov, however, has an abundance of completing energy however isn’t as battle-tested as Muhammad. In the end, our votes aligned with Rakhmonov’s bogeyman charisma over the champion, however it is as shut because it will get. — Okamoto