Knockout Artist Joaquin Buckley Faces Grappling Ace Sean Brady at UFC 328

Buckley looks to prove he's more than a viral moment as he takes on the well-rounded Brady in a pivotal welterweight clash.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 5:08am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the dynamic action of a UFC welterweight fight, with the fighters' movements and strikes broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color.Two top welterweight contenders collide in a high-stakes clash of styles at UFC 328.St. Louis Today

Joaquin Buckley, known for his highlight-reel knockouts, is set to face off against the grappling-heavy Sean Brady in the main event of UFC 328. Buckley, who burst onto the scene with a viral spinning back kick KO, has since established himself as one of the most dangerous strikers in the welterweight division. However, he's faced inconsistency at times and is now looking to prove he's a true title contender. Brady, on the other hand, brings a strong wrestling and jiu-jitsu game that could pose a major stylistic challenge for the knockout artist Buckley.

Why it matters

This fight is a crucial test for Buckley as he looks to cement his status as a legitimate threat in the stacked UFC welterweight division. A win over the highly-touted Brady would put Buckley on the cusp of title contention, while a loss could set him back in his quest to earn a shot at the championship. The clash of styles between Buckley's explosive striking and Brady's grappling-heavy approach also makes this an intriguing matchup for fans.

The details

Buckley made his UFC debut in 2020 and quickly gained attention with his stunning knockout of Impa Kasanganay. Since then, he's built a reputation as one of the most dangerous finishers in the promotion, picking up several other highlight-reel KOs. However, inconsistency at middleweight has held him back from breaking into true contender status. The move down to welterweight has seemed to sharpen his speed without compromising his power, leading to impressive wins over experienced names. Now, he faces his toughest test yet in the well-rounded Sean Brady, who will look to nullify Buckley's striking with his strong wrestling and submission skills.

  • Buckley made his UFC debut in 2020.
  • Buckley delivered his viral spinning back kick KO against Impa Kasanganay just a few months after his debut.
  • Buckley vs. Brady is scheduled to headline UFC 328 on April 25, 2026.

The players

Joaquin Buckley

A knockout artist who burst onto the UFC scene with a viral spinning back kick KO, Buckley has established himself as one of the most dangerous strikers in the welterweight division.

Sean Brady

A grappling-heavy fighter with a strong wrestling and submission game, Brady presents a stylistic challenge for the explosive Buckley.

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What they’re saying

“JOAQUIN BUCKLEY STOLE THE SHOW”

— @Newmansa94

What’s next

The winner of Buckley vs. Brady could potentially earn a shot at the UFC welterweight title, depending on the outcome of other key matchups in the division.

The takeaway

This fight represents a crucial opportunity for Joaquin Buckley to prove he's more than just a viral highlight, as he looks to overcome the grappling-focused approach of Sean Brady and cement his status as a legitimate title contender in the stacked UFC welterweight division.