The UFC kicks off its September schedule on Saturday with UFC Fight Night 242, which takes place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas with a full lineup set to stream on ESPN+. A significant welterweight fight headlines the card. Former title challenger Gilbert Burns (22-7 MMA, 15-7 UFC) looks to avoid the longest losing skid of his career when he takes on the rising Sean Brady (16-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC), who looks to prove he’s worthy of the next level in the division.

For more in the main event, as well as the rest of the card, check below for MMA Junkie’s pre-event facts about UFC Fight Night 242.

Gilbert Burns enters the event on the first losing skid of his career. He’s 3-4 in his past seven fights dating back to February 2021. Burns is 7-4 since he returned to the welterweight division in August 2019. Burns’ three armbar submission victories in UFC competition are tied for third-most in company history behind Demetrious Johnson (four) and Royce Gracie (four).

Brady competes in his first UFC main event. Brady has earned all three of his UFC stoppage victories by submission.

Jessica Andrade (26-12 MMA, 17-10 UFC) competes in her 28th UFC bout, the most appearances by any female in company history. Andrade is one of 18 fighters in UFC history to earn victories in three weight classes. She’s the only female to accomplish the feat, winning at bantamweight, flyweight and strawweight. Andrade’s 17 UFC victories are the most by any female in company history. Andrade’s 10 victories in UFC strawweight competition are tied for second-most in divisional history behind Angela Hill (11). Andrade’s nine stoppage victories in UFC women’s competition are tied for second-most in company history behind Amanda Nunes (10). Andrade’s six stoppage victories in UFC strawweight competition are most in divisional history. Andrade’s four knockout victories in UFC strawweight competition are most in divisional history. Andrade is one of 14 fighters in UFC history to earn a knockout stemming from a slam. She accomplished the feat at UFC 237. Andrade is one of four in history to win a UFC title fight by knockout stemming from a slam. She accomplished the feat at UFC 237. Andrade is the only female in UFC history to land four knockdowns in a single fight. She accomplished the feat at UFC 295. Andrade landed 231 significant strikes at UFC 283, the second most in a three-round fight in UFC history behind Nate Diaz’s 238 landed vs. Donald Cerrone at UFC 141. Andrade landed 242 total strikes against Claudia Gadelha at UFC Fight Night 117, the single-fight record for a UFC three-round strawweight bout. Andrade earned the only standing arm-triangle choke submission in UFC history with her finish of Amanda Lemos at UFC Fight Night 205. Andrade’s 10 takedowns landed against Tecia Torres at UFC on FOX 29 are tied for the single-fight record for a women’s UFC bout. Andrade’s nine fight-night bonuses for UFC strawweight bouts are most in divisional history.

Natalia Silva’s (17-5-1 MMA, 5-0 UFC) five-fight UFC winning streak at women’s flyweight is the third-Longest active streak in the division behind Manon Fiorot (seven) and Maycee Barber (six). Silva’s two knockdowns landed in UFC women’s flyweight competition are tied for third-most in divisional history behind Taila Santos (three) and Ariane Lipski (three). Silva is one of five fighters in UFC history to earn a knockout stemming from a spinning back kick to the head. She accomplished the feat at UFC Fight Night 215.

Steve Garcia (16-5 MMA, 5-2 UFC) has earned all 13 of his career stoppage victories by knockout. That includes all five of his UFC wins. Garcia’s four-fight UFC stoppage streak is tied for fourth-longest among active fighters in the company behind Shavkat Rakhmonov (six), Joanderson Brito (five) and Carlos Ulberg (five). Garcia’s four-fight UFC knockout streak is longest among active fighters in the company.

Matt Schnell (16-8 MMA, 6-6 UFC) earned the first triangle choke submission in UFC flyweight history at UFC on ESPN 5. Schnell’s three submission victories by triangle choke in UFC competition are second-most in company history behind Paul Craig (four).

Ryan Spann’s (21-10 MMA, 7-5 UFC) three-fight losing skid is the longest of his career. He hasn’t earned a victory since November 2022.

Ovince Saint Preux (27-17 MMA, 15-12 UFC) competes in his 26th UFC light heavyweight bout, the most appearances in divisional history. Saint Preux’s 15 victories in UFC light heavyweight competition are tied with Ryan Bader for third-most in divisional history behind Jon Jones (20) and Glover Teixeira (16). Saint Preux’s 11 stoppage victories in UFC light heavyweight competition are second most in divisional history behind Teixeira (13). Saint Preux’s five submission victories in UFC light heavyweight competition are tied for third-most in divisional history behind Teixeira (seven) and Craig (six). Saint Preux’s four submission victories by Von Flue choke are the most in UFC/WEC/PRIDE/Strikeforce combined organizational history. Saint Preux’s four submission victories by Von Flue choke are the most in UFC history. Saint Preux’s two technical submission victories in UFC competition are tied for second most in company history behind Frank Mir (three). Saint Preux has earned four of the eight Von Flue choke submissions in UFC history. Jason Von Flue, Jordan Rinaldi, Alonzo Menifield and Cory McKenna also won with the technique. Saint Preux vs. Yushin Okami at UFC Fight Night 117 was just the second fight in modern UFC history to feature zero combined significant strike attempts. Ilir Latifi vs. Cyrille Diabate at UFC on FUEL TV 6 was the other. Saint Preux’s eight fight-night bonuses for UFC light heavyweight bouts are tied for second-most in divisional history behind Teixeira (10).

Andre Lima (9-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC) became the first fighter in UFC history to earn a victory by disqualification for his opponent biting. The feat happened at UFC on ESPN 53.

Andre Petroski (11-3 MMA, 6-2 UFC) completes 56.4 percent of his takedown attempts in UFC middleweight competition, the highest rate among active fighters in the weight class.

UFC Fight Night 242 is set to take place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, featuring a welterweight main event between Gilbert Burns and Sean Brady. Burns, facing his first losing streak, aims to rebound against rising contender Brady. Alongside this headline fight, notable matchups include Jessica Andrade breaking records and Ovince Saint Preux striving to edge closer to Jon Jones' light heavyweight achievements.

Burns vs Brady: A Battle of Styles

Burns is known for his aggressive striking and submission skills, while Brady is a well-rounded fighter with a strong ground game. The matchup promises to be exciting, with both fighters looking to prove themselves.

Andrade's Record-Breaking Performance

Jessica Andrade is set to make history as she competes in her 28th UFC bout, the most appearances by any female fighter in UFC history. Andrade has already established herself as a formidable force, winning in three different weight classes and achieving the highest number of victories in the UFC's female division. Her performance in UFC Fight Night 242 is expected to further solidify her legacy in the sport.

Saint Preux's Pursuit of Jones' Legacy

Ovince Saint Preux has been a staple in the UFC's light heavyweight division for over a decade. He holds numerous records in the division, including the most appearances and the second most stoppage victories. As Saint Preux aims to move closer to Jon Jones' historic achievements, his performance in UFC Fight Night 242 is crucial for his career trajectory.

The Stakes are High

The matches at UFC Fight Night 242 represent critical turning points for many fighters, with implications that could reshape rankings and careers. Performances here will set the tone for future opportunities, especially for veterans like Burns and Saint Preux. The fight night is not only a platform for showcasing skills but also a stage for fighters to rewrite their narratives and seize opportunities.