Sean Brady is ready to remind the world he should be in UFC top contender conversations.

UFC's welterweight division experienced a lot of positive change in 2024. Between Shavkat Rakhmonov's and Joaquin Buckley's emergence as elite competitors, and rising stars like Carlos Prates also staking their claims, the 170-pound division suddenly looks a lot different than it did 12 months ago. Yet as new names start washing out older, established veterans like Colby Covington, Gilbert Burns and Stephen Thompson, former champions like Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman remain in talks near the top.

Brady aims to continue that old guard purge — and he's not afraid to enter enemy territory to do it.

"I just think if you look at the rankings and you look at how everything's playing out and who's available, me and Leon make the most sense," Brady said on Tuesday's "The Ariel Helwani Show."

"Historically, I would want to go somewhere and prove myself because my first loss did come while I was traveling to [the Middle East to fight] Belal [Muhammad], and I'm a completely different fighter now, so I just want to prove it to myself that I can go somewhere, go in someone's backyard and win a fight.

"My wife's due [to have our baby] in February, so March is kind of soon," he continued. "But to fight Leon, a No. 2 contender in his home — and like you boys were saying [on the show], if I win that fight, I think I am in title contention. So it's worth the risk to go over there and fight Leon and beat him at home."

UFC London on March 22 is currently without a main event, but Edwards, the former champion, has already announced he'll be a part of it against an opponent to be determined. Edwards looks to rebound from his first loss in nine years — a decision at the hands of Muhammad in their UFC 304 rematch in July.

Brady, 32, currently sits at No. 5 in the UFC's official rankings. The 18-fight veteran (17-1) said his manager is pushing the UFC for the Edwards matchup and hoping to hear some good news. A win for Brady would extend his winning streak to three straight after back-to-back victories over Burns and Kelvin Gastelum.

If he misses out on the Edwards opportunity, Brady likes the sound of a trip to an expected UFC pay-per-view in April in Miami.

"If you're looking at the rankings, I know Jack [Della Maddalena] was supposed to be fighting in February," Brady said. "I'm hearing, obviously, that that might not be happening. So if he needed more time, maybe April? Me and him were supposed to fight back in 2023. I had a staph infection, and then unfortunately for him, after he fought Gilbert [Burns], my man got a staff infection as well, and he's been out ever since. So that could be a fight that could be rebooked.

"I know people are saying Usman's name. I'm just a huge fan of Usman. I would like to test myself against him. There's definitely people out there, but I think I deserve somebody in that top-five area."

Maddalena is in the same boat as surging contenders like Rakhmonov and Buckley, riding a lengthy win streak of 17 in a row (7-0 in the UFC, 17-2 overall). Unfortunately for Brady, the matchmaking conversations have been quiet around the Australian as Maddalena continues to recover.

Meanwhile, Buckley continued his campaign as 2024's arguable breakthrough fighter of the year with a dismantling of three-time title challenger Covington at UFC Tampa, putting Buckley at 4-0 for the year.

Brady anticipates a Buckley collision at some point.

"He's No. 6 now. He's had arguably one of the best years in the division," Brady said of Buckley. "He was 4-0. So, yeah, he has a huge name and now him beating 'Wonderboy,' him beating Colby, he's definitely earned his spot. If it's none of those other guys, then 100% [I'll fight him next].

"I really wanted to fight in January before the baby got here, but nothing came up, so whatever they offer me in that April timeframe, I'll be saying yeah, as long as it makes sense."

Last but not least among the options for Brady is Ian Machado Garry, who came up short in a valiant performance opposite Rakhmonov in UFC 310's short-notice co-main event.

Brady and Garry have circled each other throughout their rises without a bout coming to fruition. Although he's criticized the Irishman in the past, Brady was impressed by the effort against Rakhmonov.

"I've been [critical] and hard on Ian in the past, but I think he looked really good against Shavkat, and he definitely earned my respect in that fight," Brady said.

"I'm not saying I'm a hard or tough fight for Ian, but I think I am. I don't know what he thinks, but yeah, it just seems like every time we talk, he doesn't really say my name."