Michael Chiesa vs Sean Brady: Brady will fail a test

On November 21, the next tournament of the world’s top-level league UFC Fight Night 198, will take place in Las Vegas. Michael Chiesa and Sean Brady will meet in the main event of the evening. 

The fight will be held in the light-middleweight. Michael Chiesa occupies sixth place in the rating of contenders in his division and Sean Brady - the fourteenth.

Chiesa is known mainly for being a great grappler – he secured 12 of his 22 victories by submission locks. However, he also lost because of tricks quite often - four times out of five. Michael misstepped in a bout with Vicente Luque, where he was choked in the first round. Two points are worth noting: Luque is stand-out and goes on a rampage to get to the very top of the ranking (he is already the fourth). Yet, the list of fighters that Michael Chiesa has defeated over the past couple of years includes some dominant names:

Carlos Condit (won by kimura in the second round);

Diego Sanchez (won by unanimous decision);

Rafael dos Anjos (won by unanimous decision);

Neil Magny (won by unanimous decision).

In the last bout, Chiesa was good at hitting the power-packed puncher Vicente Luque. He shook the Brazilian several times, then abruptly switched, grappled his back, but made a mistake, lost his position, and was strangled by Luque’s favorite technique - D’Arce choke.

The Brady’s match history numbers twelve wins, of which three by knockouts, four by locks. He did not face defeats yet, but there have been no serious opponents either. He held four fights in the UFC: with Court McGee (victory by unanimous decision), Ismail Naurdiev (win by unanimous decision), Christian Aguilera (victory by guillotine choke), Jake Matthews (victory by arm-triangle choke).

Brady’s stance, kick-outs, and boxing are not bad, and he is fast and accurate. At the same time, his punches are pretty powerful. Usually, he focuses on protection, quality rather than quantity, keeps the distance, explodes with a combination of punches and tricks, and breaks the space again. It is not yet apparent how strong and skilled he is as he fought not the best grapplers. Michael Chiesa’s challenge will be the real deal.

Analysts consider Sean Brady as the favorite. Perhaps, the reason is an undefeated streak, and fans adore unwhipped fighters, which would lower the odds on the bout. Nevertheless, Chiesa looks like the perfect figure to fill the “defeat” column. He is much bigger and more experienced. He is by far the strongest opponent Brady has ever faced, and this is also tough evidence. The following betting options are available:

• W1 for 2.31
• W2 for 1.44