Sixth-ranked welterweight contender Sean Brady is preparing to face the ninth-ranked 170-pounder Joaquin Buckley in the main event of UFC Vegas 116 at the Meta Apex on April 25.
Both fighters are looking to bounce back from recent defeats. In 2025, Brady suffered a TKO loss to Michael Morales at UFC 322, while Buckley was defeated by Kamaru Usman at UFC Atlanta.
Brady recently spoke about a tense interaction he had with Buckley outside the UFC Performance Institute. According to the 33-year-old fighter, he was waiting for an Uber when Buckley approached him.
“So we are in Vegas. We are at the Apex. That’s where I was doing all my testing. I am in the front. I was waiting for an Uber, some loud a*s motherf*cker is coming out, it’s Buckley. He looks over and says, ‘Sean Brady!'”
Buckley, known for his often boisterous demeanor, has a history of calling out fighters and engaging in verbal jabs on social media. He had previously targeted Sean Brady, leading Brady to block him on Instagram.
During their unexpected encounter, Buckley questioned Brady about why he had blocked him. Brady recalled that prior to this, Buckley had made comments about him regarding a staff infection and his hygiene.
“Prior to this, he said something about me with my staff infection and me not washing my a*s. He was like ‘Man, why you block me on Instagram.’ We are about like here, and he is loud as sh*t bro.”
Buckley then tried to explain his behavior, suggesting that trash-talking is simply his method of promoting fights—an ideology Brady does not endorse.
“I’m looking at him, I’m like, ‘I don’t like all this talking sh*t.’ We’re talking for like 5 minutes. He’s talking about selling fights.”
Brady stated that he left once his Uber arrived. However, a few days later, he saw Buckley claim in an interview that he had attempted to speak with Brady, but Brady refused and merely “stood in a corner.” Brady disputed this account, suggesting there might be footage from the PI showing Buckley trying to shake his hand.
Sean Brady Aims for First Submission Victory Against Joaquin Buckley at UFC Vegas 116
In the same interview, Sean Brady expressed his determination to be the first fighter to secure a submission victory over Joaquin Buckley in their upcoming clash. Despite having seven professional MMA losses, the 31-year-old Buckley has never been submitted.
Brady highlighted the stylistic difference, viewing it as a classic striker versus grappler matchup. He believes his submission skills will be the key to making history against “New Mansa.”
“On paper, it’s a striker vs. grappler… I don’t think he has a single submission on his record. Whereas I’m a submission guy. I think I could submit anybody. I don’t think he’s ever been submitted so, it would be nice to be the first one to put that on my record.”
