Mike Brown (fighter)

Michael Thomas Brown[2] (born September 8, 1975) is a retired American mixed martial artist and currently a trainer who competed at Featherweight in the UFC and at Lightweight with various other organizations . A professional competitor since 2001, Brown is a former WEC Featherweight Champion, and has also fought in the Japanese promotion DEEP, as well as BodogFIGHT. Since retiring, Brown has become a head trainer at American Top Team 2016,2017,2018,2019 MMA Coach of the Year .

For other people named Michael or Mike Brown, see Michael Brown.
Mike Brown
BornMichael Thomas Brown
(1975-09-08) September 8, 1975
Portland, Maine, United States
NationalityAmerican
Height5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)
Weight156 lb (71 kg; 11.1 st)
DivisionFeatherweight
Lightweight
Reach70 in (180 cm)
Fighting out ofCoconut Creek, Florida, U.S.
TeamAmerican Top Team
Rank  Black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu[1]
Years active2001– 2014
Mixed martial arts record
Total35
Wins26
By knockout5
By submission13
By decision8
Losses9
By knockout3
By submission4
By decision2
UniversityNorwich University
Notable school(s)Bonny Eagle High School
Websitehttp://mikethomasbrown.com/
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
last updated on: February 16, 2011

Background

Brown wrestled at Bonny Eagle High School in Standish, Maine, where he won a state championship in 1992, his junior year.[3] He went on to wrestle at Norwich University, where he was known for his ability to focus. Although he was an average student in high school, he was able to apply his focus to academics and excelled as a scholar-athlete in college. According to Norwich wrestling coach Rich Hasenfus, Brown was one of the smartest athletes and strongest wrestlers at Norwich.[4]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Brown had fought in several MMA events including most recently WEC, where he was the Featherweight Champion. In 2005, Brown suffered a near career-ending loss at DEEP 22 in Japan.[5] Brown's opponent, noted leg-lock expert Masakazu Imanari, dislocated Brown's leg to the point that his leg was pulled out and to the side of his knee joint. His only other Pre-WEC losses were to world-class fighters; besides Imanari, only Joe Lauzon, Genki Sudo, and Hermes Franca (all UFC veterans) had defeated Brown en route to Brown's 18–4 record.

World Extreme Cagefighting

Riding a six-fight win streak, Mike Brown signed with the WEC's Featherweight division. His debut in the WEC was against Brazilian Jiu-jitsu expert Jeff Curran at WEC 34.[6] In each round, Brown matched Curran's stand-up and then took him down and scored from the top with elbows and punches. Brown won all three rounds en route to a unanimous decision victory.[7]

Brown was then offered a shot at the WEC Featherweight Championship with a fight against Urijah Faber at WEC 36. The fight was originally set to take place in Hollywood, Florida on September 10, 2008, but it was postponed to November 5, 2008, due to Hurricane Ike. At the time, Faber had held the title for over two and a half years and was widely considered to be the best fighter at 145 pounds in the world.[8][9] Brown welcomed the opportunity to fight the best in the world and felt that his training with American Top Team had prepared him well.[10] When the heavily-favored Faber attempted a risky elbow strike, Brown countered with a right hook to the jaw, knocking down the champion. Brown then followed with a flurry of unanswered punches and the fight was called off at 2:23 of the first round. Brown won by technical knockout and was declared the new WEC featherweight champion.[11][12]

Brown's first title defense came against Texas-native Leonard Garcia in Corpus Christi, Texas as the main event of WEC 39.[13] Garcia came out very aggressively, but he made a mistake and circled in the wrong direction.[14] Brown capitalized on the mistake, knocking Garcia down with a big right hand. He followed with a barrage of punches and elbows, one of which opened up a cut on Garcia's forehead. Brown took Garcia's back and worked unsuccessfully for a rear-naked choke. Garcia got Brown back in his guard, but Brown passed into a full mount and secured an arm-triangle choke.[15] Garcia tapped out at 1:57 of the first round.[16] Brown said that he did not really feel like the champion after the Faber fight, but he was happy he established himself as the champion with his victory over Garcia.[14]

Brown's second defense came in a rematch against former champ Urijah Faber as the main event of WEC 41: Brown vs. Faber 2. The bout took place at ARCO Arena on June 7, 2009, in Sacramento, California.[17]

At the UFC 100 Fan Expo event in Las Vegas, July 2009

Urijah Faber was defeated a second time by Brown via unanimous decision in front of his hometown crowd in Sacramento. The score cards read 49–46, 48–47 and 49–46, all in favor of Brown, solidifying him as the best Featherweight in the world. MMA websites Sherdog.com and ESPN.com both stated that "Faber's right hand was no match for the top of Mike Brown's head".

Following his unanimous Dec win over Faber (for the second time), Brown lost his WEC Featherweight Championship against José Aldo on November 18, 2009, at WEC 44.[18] Brown lost by knockout in the second round.[18]

Brown defeated WEC newcomer Anthony Morrison on January 10, 2010, at WEC 46 via first round submission.[19]

Brown took on Manvel Gamburyan on April 24, 2010, at WEC 48.[20] Gamburyan defeated Brown via KO in the first round.[21]

Mike Brown's next fight was against Cole Province at WEC 51. He won the fight via TKO (punches) in the first round.

Return to Ultimate Fighting Championship

On October 28, 2010, World Extreme Cagefighting merged with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. As part of the merger, all WEC fighters were transferred to the UFC.[22]

Brown first faced Diego Nunes on January 1, 2011, at UFC 125.[23] He lost the fight via split decision.

Brown jumped right back into action to face Rani Yahya on January 22, 2011, at UFC Fight Night 23, replacing an injured Chan Sung Jung.[24] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Brown was out until mid-2011 recovering from surgery on his hand that was injured during the Yahya bout.[25] On August 6, 2011, Brown faced Nam Phan at UFC 133.[26] He won the fight via unanimous decision, earning him his first UFC victory.

Brown was expected to face Vagner Rocha on January 20, 2012, at UFC on FX 1.[27] However, Brown was forced out of the bout with a knee injury.[28]

Brown faced Daniel Pineda on May 26, 2012, at UFC 146.[29] He defeated Pineda by unanimous decision. In an interview with Ariel Helwani following the fight, Brown stated that he would give himself two weeks to consider retiring based on how his body felt after recovering.[30] On July 4, 2012, Brown signed a 5-fight deal with the UFC.

Brown was expected to face Akira Corassani on August 17, 2013, at UFC Fight Night 26.[31] However, Corassani pulled out of the bout and was replaced by Steven Siler.[32] Brown lost the fight via knockout in the first round.

Brown was expected to face Estevan Payan on April 19, 2014, at UFC on Fox 11.[33] However, Brown was forced out of the bout with an injury and was replaced by promotional newcomer Alex White.[34]

After pulling out of the fight against Payan, Brown said he would likely not fight again, though he did not say he was retiring.[35]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown
35 matches 26 wins 9 losses
By knockout 5 3
By submission 13 4
By decision 8 2
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 26–9 Steven Siler KO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Shogun vs. Sonnen August 17, 2013 1 0:50 Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Win 26–8 Daniel Pineda Decision (unanimous) UFC 146 May 26, 2012 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 25–8 Nam Phan Decision (unanimous) UFC 133 August 6, 2011 3 5:00 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Loss 24–8 Rani Yahya Decision (unanimous) UFC: Fight for the Troops 2 January 22, 2011 3 5:00 Fort Hood, Texas, United States
Loss 24–7 Diego Nunes Decision (split) UFC 125 January 1, 2011 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 24–6 Cole Province TKO (punches) WEC 51 September 30, 2010 1 1:18 Broomfield, Colorado, United States
Loss 23–6 Manvel Gamburyan KO (punches) WEC 48 April 24, 2010 1 2:22 Sacramento, California, United States
Win 23–5 Anthony Morrison Submission (rear-naked choke) WEC 46 January 10, 2010 1 1:54 Sacramento, California, United States
Loss 22–5 José Aldo TKO (punches) WEC 44 November 18, 2009 2 1:20 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Lost the WEC Featherweight Championship
Win 22–4 Urijah Faber Decision (unanimous) WEC 41 June 7, 2009 5 5:00 Sacramento, California, United States Defended WEC Featherweight Championship, Fight of the Night
Win 21–4 Leonard Garcia Submission (arm-triangle choke) WEC 39 March 1, 2009 1 1:57 Corpus Christi, Texas, United States Defended WEC Featherweight Championship, Submission of the Night
Win 20–4 Urijah Faber TKO (punches) WEC 36: Faber vs. Brown November 5, 2008 1 2:23 Hollywood, Florida, United States Won WEC Featherweight Championship, Knockout of the Night
Win 19–4 Jeff Curran Decision (unanimous) WEC 34: Faber vs. Pulver June 1, 2008 3 5:00 Sacramento, California, United States
Win 18–4 Manny Reyes Jr. Submission (rear-naked choke) PXF: Premier X-treme Fighting December 8, 2007 1 1:46 Hollywood, Florida, United States
Win 17–4 Eben Oroz TKO (punches) HOOKnSHOOT: BodogFIGHT November 24, 2007 1 3:15 Evansville, Indiana, United States
Win 16–4 Yves Edwards Decision (unanimous) BodogFIGHT: Clash of the Nations December 16, 2006 3 5:00 Saint Petersburg, Russia Lightweight bout
Win 15–4 Jason Bryant TKO (punches) AFC 19: Absolute Fighting Championships 19 October 21, 2006 1 1:26 Boca Raton, Florida, United States
Win 14–4 Rocky Long Submission (rear-naked choke) KE: Kick Enterprises September 9, 2006 2 1:32 Fort Myers, Florida, United States
Win 13–4 Dustin Neace Submission (guillotine choke) AFC 18: Absolute Fighting Championships 18 August 26, 2006 1 0:50 Boca Raton, Florida, United States
Loss 12–4 Masakazu Imanari Technical Submission (rolling kneelock) DEEP: 22 Impact December 2, 2005 2 3:38 Tokyo, Japan DEEP Featherweight Tournament Semifinal
Win 12–3 Takeshi Yamazaki Decision (unanimous) DEEP: 21st Impact October 28, 2005 3 5:00 Tokyo, Japan DEEP Featherweight Tournament Quarterfinal
Win 11–3 Taiyo Nakahara Submission (arm-triangle choke) GCM: D.O.G. 2 June 11, 2005 2 N/A Tokyo, Japan
Win 10–3 Renato Tavares Decision (unanimous) AFC 10: Absolute Fighting Championships 10 October 30, 2004 3 5:00 Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, United States Defended AFC Featherweight Championship.[40]
Loss 9–3 Joe Lauzon Submission (rear-naked choke) CZ 8: Street Justice October 2, 2004 3 2:14 Revere, Massachusetts, United States For vacant USKBA U.S. Super Welterweight Championship.[41]
Loss 9–2 Genki Sudo Submission (triangle armbar) UFC 47 April 2, 2004 1 3:31 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Lightweight bout
Win 9–1 Leigh Remedios Decision (unanimous) AFC 6: Absolute Fighting Championships 6 December 6, 2003 3 5:00 Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, United States Won AFC Featherweight Championship.
Win 8–1 Renat Mirzabekov Submission (heel hook) HFC 2: Hardcore Fighting Championships 2 October 18, 2003 1 2:38 Revere, Massachusetts, United States
Win 7–1 Mark Hominick Submission (heel hook) TFC 8: Hell Raiser June 6, 2003 3 N/A Toledo, Ohio, United States
Win 6–1 Shawn Graham TKO (punches) HFC 1: Hardcore Fighting Championships 1 May 24, 2003 2 1:05 Revere, Massachusetts, United States
Win 5–1 Mike Large Submission (rear-naked choke) TFC 7: Fightzone 7 February 28, 2003 1 N/A Toledo, Ohio, United States
Win 4–1 Bill Mahoney Submission (rear-naked choke) MD 10: Mass Destruction 10 January 25, 2003 3 N/A Swansea, Massachusetts, United States
Win 3–1 Edward Odquina Submission (rear-naked choke) USMMA 1: Ring of Fury May 18, 2002 1 N/A Lowell, Massachusetts, United States
Loss 2–1 Hermes França Submission (triangle choke) HOOKnSHOOT: Kings 1 November 17, 2001 1 2:21 Evansville, Indiana, United States Lightweight bout
Win 2–0 Vinny Brightman Submission (rear-naked choke) MD3: Mass Destruction 3 August 4, 2001 1 3:30 Swansea, Massachusetts, United States
Win 1–0 Jeff Darienzo Submission (americana) MD1: Mass Destruction 1 April 1, 2001 1 2:15 Swansea, Massachusetts, United States

See also

References
  1. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on January 1, 2011. Retrieved January 22, 2011.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  3. Steve Solloway (November 12, 2008). "Yes, the king of the featherweights is a Mainer". The Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram. Archived from the original on January 3, 2013. Retrieved March 5, 2009.
  4. Gary E. Frank (December 5, 2008). "Mixed martial arts champion Mike Brown found his path at Norwich". Norwich University Office of Communications. Archived from the original on December 24, 2008. Retrieved March 5, 2009.
  5. "Deep - 22 Impact". Sherdog.
  6. Mitch Gobetz (May 30, 2008). "Brown looking to leap over big frog at wec 34". MMAWeekly. Archived from the original on June 6, 2008. Retrieved March 4, 2009.
  7. Ricardo Mendoza (June 2, 2008). "Wec 34: hometown hero faber edges out pulver". MMAWeekly. Archived from the original on July 3, 2008. Retrieved March 4, 2009.
  8. "Sherdog Official Mixed Martial Arts Rankings – Featherweight". Sherdog. October 8, 2008. Retrieved March 5, 2009.
  9. "Mmaweekly world mma rankings updated". MMAWeekly. October 29, 2008. Retrieved March 5, 2009.
  10. Jeff Cain (November 4, 2008). "MIKE BROWN IS READY TO FOIL FABER, TAKE TITLE". MMAWeekly. Archived from the original on December 7, 2008. Retrieved March 4, 2009.
  11. Tim Leidecker (November 7, 2008). "WEC Analysis: Faber's Loss Limits Options". Sherdog. Retrieved March 5, 2009.
  12. Tom Hamlin (November 5, 2008). "Faber loses the crown to brown". MMAWeekly. Archived from the original on December 9, 2008. Retrieved March 4, 2009.
  13. Damon Martin (February 26, 2009). "Brown says the title makes it all worth while". MMAWeekly. Archived from the original on March 4, 2009. Retrieved March 4, 2009.
  14. Damon Martin (March 2, 2009). "Brown admits that now he feels like the champion". MMAWeekly. Retrieved March 5, 2009.
  15. Damon Martin (March 1, 2009). "Mike brown pummels garcia to retain title". MMAWeekly. Archived from the original on March 6, 2009. Retrieved March 4, 2009.
  16. Joe Hall (March 1, 2009). "Brown Blasts Garcia, Finishes with Sub". Sherdog. Retrieved March 4, 2009.
  17. Brian Knapp (March 30, 2009). "Brown-Faber Sequel Official for WEC 41". Sherdog. Retrieved March 31, 2009.
  18. "Brown-Aldo Set for November WEC". Sherdog. July 15, 2009. Retrieved July 15, 2009.
  19. "WEC 46: Varner vs. Henderson results". wec.tv. January 11, 2010.
  20. "Mike Brown vs Manny Gamburyan on tap for WEC 48 on April 24". mmamania.com. February 3, 2010.
  21. "WEC 48: Aldo vs. Faber – Live Results and Commentary". BLOODYELBOW.com. April 24, 2010. Retrieved April 25, 2010.
  22. "UFC and WEC set to merge in 2011; events to air on Versus and Spike TV". mmajunkie.com. October 28, 2010. Archived from the original on May 25, 2012.
  23. "WEC vets Mike Brown and Diego Nunes targeted for UFC 125 matchup". mmajunkie.com. November 10, 2010. Archived from the original on November 12, 2010.
  24. "Replacement Mike Brown steps in to meet Rani Yahya at UFC Fight Night 23". mmajunkie.com. Archived from the original on January 8, 2011. Retrieved January 7, 2011.
  25. Mike Chiappetta. "Former Champ Mike Brown Spared Cut, Recovering From Hand Surgery". MMA Fighting.
  26. "Featherweights Mike Brown vs. Nam Phan slotted for UFC 133 in Philly". mmajunkie.com. May 11, 2011. Archived from the original on May 13, 2011. Retrieved May 11, 2011.
  27. "Mike Brown vs. Vagner Rocha added to UFC on FX 1". mmajunkie.com. November 29, 2011. Archived from the original on December 1, 2011.
  28. "UFC On FX Fight Card: Mike Brown Scratched With Knee Injury". mma.sbnation.com. December 30, 2011.
  29. "Mike Brown vs. Daniel Pineda added to May's UFC 146 event". mmajunkie.com. March 14, 2012. Archived from the original on March 17, 2012.
  30. "Mike Brown: 'I'm Getting Near The End'". mmafighting.com. May 27, 2012.
  31. "Mike Brown vs. Akira Corassani set for UFC on FOX Sports 1 1 in Boston". mmajunkie.com. May 31, 2013.
  32. Staff (July 1, 2013). "Akira Corassani off UFC on FOX Sports 1 1 card, Steven Siler meets Mike Brown". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved July 1, 2013.
  33. Matt Erickson (February 26, 2014). "Sean Soriano out, Mike Brown meets Estevan Payan at UFC on FOX 11". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved February 26, 2014.
  34. Staff (April 4, 2014). "Mike Brown out, Estevan Payan now meets newcomer Alex White at UFC on FOX 11". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved April 4, 2014.
  35. Mike Bohn (April 15, 2014). "UFC featherweight Mike Brown: I don't think I'll fight again". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved August 29, 2014.
  36. "Fcf Survey". Full Contact Fighter.
  37. Kevin Ehsani. "Brown has managed to transfer his abilities into a role outside of the cage". CombatPress.com. Retrieved January 12, 2017.
  38. Zach Aittama. "Mike Brown earned his way to the top of the sport with his coaching ability of numerous well-respected fighters". CombatPress.com. Retrieved January 23, 2018.
  39. Dan Kuhl. "For the third year in a row, American Top Team's head coach and former WEC champion Mike Brown steals the title of Combat Press Coach of the Year". CombatPress.com. Retrieved January 25, 2019.
  40. "Afc Results". Full Contact Fighter.
  41. "Pride Fc 22 "beasts From The East 2" Dvdin Stock Now!". Full Contact Fighter.
Preceded by
Urijah Faber		 3rd WEC Featherweight Champion
November 5, 2008 – November 18, 2009		 Succeeded by
José Aldo
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