STWF Sports | Dec.17, 2025 – Mixed martial arts fans were sent into a frenzy this week after a surprising revelation from one of the biggest names in global sports. Tom Brady, the seven-time Super Bowl champion and widely regarded as the greatest quarterback in NFL history, confirmed during a live stream that he is first cousins with longtime UFC matchmaker Sean Shelby — a revelation that left many fans in disbelief despite the fact that the connection has quietly existed for years.

Brady, who has been a fixture cageside at major UFC events and maintains a close friendship with UFC CEO Dana White, casually mentioned the family tie during an appearance on streaming platform Kick alongside influencer Nina Drama. The moment quickly rippled across social media, with fans stunned that two major figures in American sports come from the same family tree.

Brady Confirms the Family Connection

“Dana’s been a big supporter of mine over a long period of time,” Brady said during the stream. “He’s from the Northeast, a big Patriots fan. 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.”

The off-hand remark immediately went viral.

While the relationship has been documented before, many fans simply never connected the dots — and Brady’s direct confirmation left them reeling. Social media lit up with reactions ranging from confused to amused.

“Tom Brady and Sean Shelby being first cousins: not on my bingo card,” one fan posted.

“Small world,” added another.

A third was simply stunned: “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?”

A final fan summed it up with one word: “Crazy.”

Who Is Sean Shelby? The Man Behind the Fights

Shelby, one of the UFC’s most influential figures, has played a major role in shaping the sport for over two decades. He joined the promotion in 2002 and helped Dana White and matchmaker Joe Silva build the UFC from a fringe spectacle into a global powerhouse.

After Joe Silva’s retirement in 2016, Shelby was promoted to Senior Vice President of Talent Relations, sharing matchmaking duties with Mick Maynard. According to MMA Junkie, Shelby currently presides over several of the UFC’s deepest and most competitive divisions: bantamweight, featherweight, lightweight, and welterweight.

His responsibilities include scouting and developing talent, negotiating with fighters, assembling fight cards, and working closely with White and Chief Business Officer Hunter Campbell before final approval. Shelby’s eye for rising stars and ability to construct compelling matchups has made him one of the sport’s most respected behind-the-scenes figures.

Brady’s Longstanding Ties to the UFC

Brady’s connection to the UFC goes beyond family ties. The 48-year-old purchased a minority stake in the promotion in 2016 as part of a star-studded investment group recruited by WME-IMG during its $4 billion acquisition of the UFC.

That group included Serena Williams, Mark Wahlberg, Ben Affleck, Sylvester Stallone, Calvin Harris, and The Weeknd, among others — all contributing a minimum investment of $250,000.

Brady often appears at major UFC events and has openly praised some of the sport’s greatest champions. During the stream, he named Jon Jones and Khabib Nurmagomedov as his UFC all-time greats and expressed admiration for Daniel Cormier, calling himself a “huge fan” of the former dual-weight champion.

Ari Emanuel and the TKO Era

The 2016 acquisition paved the way for even bigger moves. Ari Emanuel, then co-CEO of WME-IMG, now serves as CEO of TKO Group Holdings — the parent company formed after the UFC merged with WWE in a landmark deal in 2023.

Brady’s investment thus places him in the orbit of one of the most powerful conglomerates in combat sports and entertainment — and, as fans now know, his own family tree has been connected to UFC headquarters since long before the TKO era began.

A Surprise Connection That Captivated Fans

The news may not change the landscape of MMA matchmaking, but it certainly added a fascinating layer to the UFC’s behind-the-scenes world. For fans, it was an unexpected crossover between football royalty and combat sports leadership.

Tom Brady and Sean Shelby — two men who have shaped two of America’s biggest sports — are family. And now the world finally knows.