Sean Brady is entering UFC 322 on November 15 as the No.2 welterweight in the world. But long before this climb, long before the bright lights of Madison Square Garden, he carried the scars of a brutal night in 2021. A night where a fractured nose nearly derailed his rise. At UFC Fight Night 198, Brady walked in undefeated at 4-0 in the UFC. He walked out with his hand raised, yet bleeding heavily, gasping for air, and dealing with a nasal fracture that changed the trajectory of his next few years.

That win over Michael Chiesa was supposed to be a stepping stone. Instead, it became a battle that pushed him to the edge. And the injury he suffered that night still has fans asking: how bad was the damage? To understand it, we have to start with the moment the break happened.

Sean Brady’s Broken Nose at UFC Fight Night 198: Details of the Injury

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 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.

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.

To make matters worse, Brady absorbed a vicious kick to the nose, causing a nasal fracture. 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, but he later revealed he had to fight through significant adversity to secure the win!

How the Fracture Impacted His Performance Against Chiesa

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’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?

Recovery Timeline and Return to the Octagon

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!

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 3-1 record in his last four bouts, with standout wins over fighters like Kelvin Gastelum, Gilbert Burns, and Leon Edwards. Now, with his nose healed and his ranking at No.2, he prepares for another crucial fight as he meets Michael Morales at UFC 322, a matchup that could secure his long-awaited shot at the welterweight title!