UFC Vegas 97 Aftermath: Brady’s Dominance and Rising Stars
UFC Fight Night 242, also known as UFC Vegas 97, took place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas on September 7, 2024. Sean Brady won the main event, while Natalia Silva, Steve Garcia, Cody Durden and Chris Padilla also recorded notable victories. Here are the confirmed results and context for the performances highlighted from the card.
Sean Brady Cements Contender Status
Sean Brady defeated former title challenger Gilbert Burns by unanimous decision in the five-round main event. The judges scored it 50–45, 50–45 and 49–46 for Brady. His grappling and pressure helped him control much of the contest, giving him a significant win over a longtime welterweight contender.
After the fight, Brady expressed interest in facing Ian Machado Garry and discussed other high-profile options, including Colby Covington. Those were proposed matchups at the time; no bout was announced as part of the event result.
Rising Stars Shine Bright
Natalia Silva’s Impressive Victory
In the co-main event, flyweight Natalia Silva defeated former UFC strawweight champion Jessica Andrade by unanimous decision. Silva won on all three scorecards, 30–27. The bout earned Fight of the Night honors, with both fighters receiving the award.
Steve Garcia’s Explosive Finish
Steve Garcia stopped Kyle Nelson by TKO at 3:59 of the first round in a 148.5-pound catchweight bout. The result extended Garcia’s winning streak to five. Garcia earned the finish in a 148.5-pound catchweight bout.
Unexpected Outcomes and Future Matchups
Cody Durden’s Short-Notice Success
Cody Durden submitted Matt Schnell with a ninja choke at 29 seconds of the second round. Durden stepped in after Alessandro Costa withdrew, and earned a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus for the finish.
Chris Padilla’s Doctor Stoppage Win
Chris Padilla defeated Rong Zhu by TKO after a doctor stoppage at 4:14 of the second round. The stoppage followed an injury around Zhu’s eye; the official result records the doctor stoppage without specifying the more detailed injury description used in some reports.
Looking Ahead
The results gave Brady a major victory over a former title challenger and added to the momentum of Silva, Garcia and Durden. Matchups suggested by fighters and media after the event were possibilities, not confirmed bookings. Any future ranking or title implications remained speculative at the time.
Sources:
[1] Sherdog: Matches to Make After UFC Fight Night 242
[2] MMA Junkie: Brady’s Possible Next Opponents
[3] Yahoo Sports: UFC Fight Night 242 Results
[4] Bleacher Report: Winners and Losers
[5] Sherdog: Durden’s Short-Notice Win and Bonus
[6] Video footage
[7] UFC: Official Results and Judges’ Scorecards
[8] Nevada Athletic Commission: Official Event Results
