MMA fans are in shock after learning that Tom Brady is related to a senior UFC official.
The seven-time Super Bowl winner has attended many UFC cards in the last decade, spending time with the promotion’s CEO Dana White during his busy schedule, and it is only now that some fans are understanding why.
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Brady has attended several UFC events over the years, and fans are now putting two and two togetherCredit: Getty
Although some MMA enthusiasts have known for a while, other fans are only just finding out that Brady is the first cousin of UFC matchmaker Sean Shelby.
Shelby has helped White build the MMA promotion into a billion-dollar business since the day he joined in 2002.
He was promoted to senior vice president of talent relations in September 2016 when veteran MMA executive Mick Maynard joined the company to help with organising bouts.
Some of the pair’s other responsibilities include developing talent and negotiating with fighters, before liaising with White and UFC Chief Business Officer Hunter Campbell to make the final call.
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According to MMA Junkie, Shelby runs the bantamweight, featherweight, lightweight, and welterweight divisions as lead matchmaker.
Tom Brady reveals Sean Shelby relation during live stream
Knowledge of Brady’s relation to Shelby has been out there for some time, but fans only picked up on it when tuning in to the streaming platform Kick this week.
Brady appeared on a live stream with MMA influencer Nina Drama.
“Dana’s been a big supporter of mine over a long period of time. He’s from the north east, [and] a big [New England Patriots] fan,” Brady said, speaking about his connections to the UFC.
“My cousin, Sean Shelby, has worked with the UFC for over 20 years – that’s my boy, my first cousin, I love you so much, Sean.
“He’s done a great job working with Dana through the years, and I’m a huge UFC fan – love all those fighters.”
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Shelby, middle left, has watched UFC events with Brady from the front row, but some fans are only finding out they’re relatedCredit: GettyFans react to Brady and Shelby connection
Fans shared their shock at the connection between Brady and Shelby on social media.
One wrote on X: “Tom Brady and Sean Shelby being first cousins: Not on my bingo card.”
Another said: “Small world.”
A third added: “I’m really blown away that Tom Brady is the cousin of UFC matchmaker Sean Shelby.”
Another wrote: “Sean Shelby is Tom Brady’s cousin? HUH?”
While a fifth responded: “Crazy.”
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Brady is just as big a UFC fan as White is of Brady and the New England PatriotsCredit: Getty
Brady then named Jon Jones and Khabib Nurmagomedov as his greatest UFC fighters of all time while also stating his ‘love’ for former simultaneous champion Daniel Cormier.
The 48-year-old bought a small stake in the UFC in 2016 as part of an investment group which included Serena Williams, Ben Affleck, Mark Wahlberg, The Weeknd, Calvin Harris and Sylvester Stallone.
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According to ESPN, Brady and the other celebrities had been enlisted by WWE-IMG at a minimum investment of $250,000 each to help finance its $4billion acquisition of the UFC.
Ari Emanuel was the co-CEO of WWE-IMG at the time and now serves as the CEO of TKO Group Holdings, the company formed when the WWE merged with the UFC in 2023.