UFC 322 results, highlights: Michael Morales scores brutal knockout of Sean Brady
NEW YORK — On a night filled with exciting early knockouts, welterweight contender Michael Morales made sure he didn’t get left behind when the lights were brightest Saturday at UFC 322.
Morales (19-0), 26, recorded his third straight first-round finish by stopping No. 2-ranked Sean Brady via TKO with a flurry of punches inside New York’s Madison Square Garden. The win catapulted the No. 8-ranked Ecuadorian into instant title contention.
During his post-fight interview, Morales gestured to UFC CEO Dana White, who was standing at cageside, and said, “Boss, Dana, my belt, my belt.”
Morales, who enjoyed the advantages of three inches in height and seven inches in reach, dominated his opponent from the start. But Brady (18-2), a Philadelphia native known for his relentless wrestling style, never shot for a takedown and ultimately paid for it.
Despite a quick, accurate jab early on, Brady was visibly hurt by a big right hand from Morales. Brady then faked a takedown attempt and instantly ate another left hook.
Moments later, a looping right hand hurt Brady again and the ensuing left hand dropped him. Referee Blake Grice intervened shortly after to stop the fight at 3:27 of the first round.
“We knew that [Brady] “He was a stocky welterweight and someone very strong, so the coaches said to keep the center of gravity low and the knockout would come,” Morales said.
Morales improved to 7-0 in the UFC with five knockouts since his 2022 debut.
Brady entered the fight on a three-fight winning streak, including a fourth-round submission over former champion Leon Edwards in May. The loss was his first since a second-round TKO against future champion Belal Muhammad in 2022.
