Sean Brady Withdraws From UFC Vegas 124 With Staph Infection

Sean Brady has withdrawn from the Nov. 7 UFC Vegas 124 main event against Gabriel Bonfim because of a staph infection in his knee, he explained on his podcast. The UFC called Johnny Walker to book a replacement main event after Brady pulled out.

Brady said his camp had been going well until last week, when his knee began swelling after training. By Tuesday night, he could barely walk. He recognized that the problem was not bursitis, an issue he had dealt with before, and suspected an infection.

Sean Brady's Knee Infection

Doctors had to wait for bacteria to grow before identifying the infection. They confirmed it was staph days later, Brady said on The BradyBags Show. He hoped to have the infection drained and still compete, but the problem has continued despite repeated drainage.

Brady believes a small cut on his knee caused the infection. It is the same knee he injured before his TKO loss to Michael Morales last November. During the podcast, Brady showed photos of the swelling and of the knee being drained.

The infection ended Brady’s bid to fight twice in 2026. He had beaten Joaquin Buckley in May, beginning to rebuild momentum as a welterweight contender, and had completed a 10-week camp for Bonfim. Brady said he pushed to compete again this year when discussing the infection with the UFC, but the remaining events were either unavailable to him or already full.

Brady Targets a January Return

Brady is now aiming for the UFC’s Jan. 16 card in Dallas. He also said he thinks the promotion could rebook his fight with Bonfim, citing the limited number of options near the top of the division.

Brady expressed sympathy for Bonfim, who had prepared for the matchup and now faces a late change. He said he knows how difficult it is when an opponent withdraws close to a fight and the replacement situation is uncertain.

Brady’s next target is the Jan. 16 Dallas card. A rematch booking with Bonfim has not been confirmed.