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MATT BROWN EXPECTS TO BANG IT OUT AT UFC 96
Matt Brown will be making his return to the Octagon at UFC 96 against Pete “Drago” Sell. Brown was last seen at UFC 91 where he submitted Ryan Thomas after taking the fight on short notice.
As he prepares to deal with Sell, he will do so at a different camp than in the past. Moving out to Las Vegas to expand his training regimen, Brown discussed his recent transition and the reasoning behind it.
“There was a lot of things,” he told MMAWeekly Radio recently. “The biggest thing was just to get refreshed in life. Change things up and get away from the norm. A lot of it, after being in the show and everything in Ohio, people started putting me up on a pedestal. I needed to come out here and be around a lot more UFC fighters where I'm kind of a nobody.
"I train mainly at Warrior Training Center. They're some great training partners out in Cincinnati. I love everyone out there. It wasn't so much the training that brought me out here. Jorge's gym, nothing against it, but it was more of a jiu-jitsu gym. That's never been my strong point. I like to stand up and bang. I work with better Muay Thai and boxer guys out here.”
As luck may have it, Brown’s next fight happens to be back in his home state of Ohio. Realizing that he was fighting on this card prior to making the move, he was planning to take his camp out of his home state regardless. “I was originally not planning to have my camp in Ohio to avoid distractions when I was going to fight on this card. Once I came out here in Vegas, I got a lot of good friends out here and decided to make it a permanent move.”
He is excited about having the opportunity to showcase his skills to his hometown fans. “This is a dream come true to fight in front of my home town. There is going to be close to 100 people in my family there, so it's going to be pretty crazy for me.”
Having a crowd chanting his name isn’t something that he’s necessarily used to. After all, prior to his stint on The Ultimate Fighter, Brown wasn’t the cheered-for fighter. This will more than likely not be the case for this fight.
“I've never really had crowds cheer for me until I went to Atlanta. That was the first time and it was just a weird feeling. I was never famous in the local scene and stuff," he recalled. "I never really had a fan following until I made it on The Ultimate Fighter. All of a sudden I got 20,000 people cheering for me. Once that bell rings, you're not thinking too much about the crowd. You're worried about the guy in the ring knocking your head off.”
Brown’s opponent is no slouch either. Sell has had an up and down career in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, however most would be hard-pressed to find a boring fight that he’s been part of. Sell trains with former UFC welterweight champion Matt Serra and has one of the most memorable fights ever in the UFC when he lost to Scott Smith. Even though he lost that fight, it was an extremely entertaining fight from start to finish. That’s what Brown is hoping for, not to mention the fact that this fight has fight of the night potential written all over it.
“I watched Pete Sell all the way back from UFC 51 when he fought Phil Baroni,” he said. “I always expected him to do a lot better than he did. I always thought he was a real talented guy. As soon as they called me and said they were looking to have me fight Pete Sell, I jumped all over that. I'm ready to get that fight of the night bonus. I don't think he's going to do a lot of shooting or pulling guard or anything like that. He's going to stand and we're going to beat the (expletive) out of each other.”
When you have an opponent that is willing to stand and trade with you, it can make a fighter increase his will to win and push himself just a little bit harder. That’s what Pete Sell is doing for Matt Brown.
“It definitely made me train that little bit harder. Not that I wouldn't train just as hard anyway, but I don't know, there's just something about it. When I fought Dong Kim, I knew it wasn't going to be the most exciting fight. It turned out to be a good fight, but he doesn't want it to be an exciting fight. Me and Pete Sell, we want this to be an exciting fight. We'll go in there and try to hurt each other. We're going to do everything in each others' power to put the other one to sleep. There's no possible way this fight will be boring.”
Matt Brown will be making his return to the Octagon at UFC 96 against Pete “Drago” Sell. Brown was last seen at UFC 91 where he submitted Ryan Thomas after taking the fight on short notice.
As he prepares to deal with Sell, he will do so at a different camp than in the past. Moving out to Las Vegas to expand his training regimen, Brown discussed his recent transition and the reasoning behind it.
“There was a lot of things,” he told MMAWeekly Radio recently. “The biggest thing was just to get refreshed in life. Change things up and get away from the norm. A lot of it, after being in the show and everything in Ohio, people started putting me up on a pedestal. I needed to come out here and be around a lot more UFC fighters where I'm kind of a nobody.
"I train mainly at Warrior Training Center. They're some great training partners out in Cincinnati. I love everyone out there. It wasn't so much the training that brought me out here. Jorge's gym, nothing against it, but it was more of a jiu-jitsu gym. That's never been my strong point. I like to stand up and bang. I work with better Muay Thai and boxer guys out here.”
As luck may have it, Brown’s next fight happens to be back in his home state of Ohio. Realizing that he was fighting on this card prior to making the move, he was planning to take his camp out of his home state regardless. “I was originally not planning to have my camp in Ohio to avoid distractions when I was going to fight on this card. Once I came out here in Vegas, I got a lot of good friends out here and decided to make it a permanent move.”
He is excited about having the opportunity to showcase his skills to his hometown fans. “This is a dream come true to fight in front of my home town. There is going to be close to 100 people in my family there, so it's going to be pretty crazy for me.”
Having a crowd chanting his name isn’t something that he’s necessarily used to. After all, prior to his stint on The Ultimate Fighter, Brown wasn’t the cheered-for fighter. This will more than likely not be the case for this fight.
“I've never really had crowds cheer for me until I went to Atlanta. That was the first time and it was just a weird feeling. I was never famous in the local scene and stuff," he recalled. "I never really had a fan following until I made it on The Ultimate Fighter. All of a sudden I got 20,000 people cheering for me. Once that bell rings, you're not thinking too much about the crowd. You're worried about the guy in the ring knocking your head off.”
Brown’s opponent is no slouch either. Sell has had an up and down career in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, however most would be hard-pressed to find a boring fight that he’s been part of. Sell trains with former UFC welterweight champion Matt Serra and has one of the most memorable fights ever in the UFC when he lost to Scott Smith. Even though he lost that fight, it was an extremely entertaining fight from start to finish. That’s what Brown is hoping for, not to mention the fact that this fight has fight of the night potential written all over it.
“I watched Pete Sell all the way back from UFC 51 when he fought Phil Baroni,” he said. “I always expected him to do a lot better than he did. I always thought he was a real talented guy. As soon as they called me and said they were looking to have me fight Pete Sell, I jumped all over that. I'm ready to get that fight of the night bonus. I don't think he's going to do a lot of shooting or pulling guard or anything like that. He's going to stand and we're going to beat the (expletive) out of each other.”
When you have an opponent that is willing to stand and trade with you, it can make a fighter increase his will to win and push himself just a little bit harder. That’s what Pete Sell is doing for Matt Brown.
“It definitely made me train that little bit harder. Not that I wouldn't train just as hard anyway, but I don't know, there's just something about it. When I fought Dong Kim, I knew it wasn't going to be the most exciting fight. It turned out to be a good fight, but he doesn't want it to be an exciting fight. Me and Pete Sell, we want this to be an exciting fight. We'll go in there and try to hurt each other. We're going to do everything in each others' power to put the other one to sleep. There's no possible way this fight will be boring.”
UFC MAKES MAY DATE FOR UFC 98 LESNAR VS MIR 2
The Ultimate Fighting Championship on Monday officially announced a heavyweight title unification bout between current champion Brock Lesnar and interim titleholder Frank Mir. The bout will take place at UFC 98 on May 23 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
“Brock Lesnar and Frank Mir put on one of the most intense one round fights I’ve ever seen at UFC 81,” said UFC President Dana White, referring to Mir’s submission victory over Lesnar in February of 2008. “But when it was over, both guys saw things very differently. Lesnar blamed his loss on inexperience and being too aggressive, while Mir saw his win as a triumph of his technique, something he says will happen every time they fight. On May 23rd, each fighter has his chance to prove his point, and while a lot has happened for these two since that first fight, I know the rematch is going to be just as intense as the first one, especially considering that the winner walks away as the UFC Heavyweight Champion.”
With a professional record of just 3-1, many have doubted Lesnar's place in the UFC championship picture. He defeated Randy Couture, however, for the title and Mir provides him the opportunity to not only avenge a loss, but solidify himself as the champion.
"I'm delighted to have a rematch against Frank Mir,” said Lesnar, the 2000 NCAA Division I National Champion in wrestling. “I can't wait to get my revenge and finish this fight on the ground the way it should have been finished last time.”
Despite his impressive TKO of Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, against Lesnar, Mir can rid himself of the interim tag and return to being the UFC heavyweight champion.
“Brock Lesnar has been calling for a rematch with me ever since I beat him the first time,” said Mir. “All I can say to Brock is be careful what you wish for because I’m a better, smarter, stronger, and faster fighter than I was the last time. He won’t be able to push me around like he’s done smaller opponents, and I’m looking forward to becoming undisputed champion again.”
Though the promotion has yet to announce any other bouts for UFC 98, former welterweight champions Matt Hughes and Matt Serra have both publicly commented on their bout at the event on May 23.
The Ultimate Fighting Championship on Monday officially announced a heavyweight title unification bout between current champion Brock Lesnar and interim titleholder Frank Mir. The bout will take place at UFC 98 on May 23 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
“Brock Lesnar and Frank Mir put on one of the most intense one round fights I’ve ever seen at UFC 81,” said UFC President Dana White, referring to Mir’s submission victory over Lesnar in February of 2008. “But when it was over, both guys saw things very differently. Lesnar blamed his loss on inexperience and being too aggressive, while Mir saw his win as a triumph of his technique, something he says will happen every time they fight. On May 23rd, each fighter has his chance to prove his point, and while a lot has happened for these two since that first fight, I know the rematch is going to be just as intense as the first one, especially considering that the winner walks away as the UFC Heavyweight Champion.”
With a professional record of just 3-1, many have doubted Lesnar's place in the UFC championship picture. He defeated Randy Couture, however, for the title and Mir provides him the opportunity to not only avenge a loss, but solidify himself as the champion.
"I'm delighted to have a rematch against Frank Mir,” said Lesnar, the 2000 NCAA Division I National Champion in wrestling. “I can't wait to get my revenge and finish this fight on the ground the way it should have been finished last time.”
Despite his impressive TKO of Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, against Lesnar, Mir can rid himself of the interim tag and return to being the UFC heavyweight champion.
“Brock Lesnar has been calling for a rematch with me ever since I beat him the first time,” said Mir. “All I can say to Brock is be careful what you wish for because I’m a better, smarter, stronger, and faster fighter than I was the last time. He won’t be able to push me around like he’s done smaller opponents, and I’m looking forward to becoming undisputed champion again.”
Though the promotion has yet to announce any other bouts for UFC 98, former welterweight champions Matt Hughes and Matt Serra have both publicly commented on their bout at the event on May 23.
Brown vs. Faber rematch could headline first-ever WEC PPV in June
A rematch between current World Extreme Cagefighting featherweight champion Mike Thomas Brown and Urijah Faber, the man he took the title from this past November at WEC 36, has appeared inevitable for quite some time.
However, according to Dana White, the inevitable could be on the verge of becoming official. During an exclusive interview with the UFC president, he not only expressed his confidence that the fight is going to happen, but hinted that it could headline the WEC’s first-ever pay-per-view.
“I’m very confident its going to happen,” White said in an exclusive comment to KHTK radio in Sacramento while on location in Germany, where he was working to promote UFC 99. “… I’m very, very confident it’s going to be on pay-per-view… (And) I’m very, very, very confident it will happen in Sacramento.”
White indicated the potential PPV is likely to be price pointed at $39.95.
While Brown vs. Faber II has yet to be finalized, all signs point to a June date at the Arco Arena in Faber’s hometown of Sacramento, Calif., a story that this reported first broke two months ago.
Several hurdles, such as Faber’s impending free agency, must be overcome before the matchup can become official. However, a contract resolution is expected soon, as Faber’s management will be in Columbus, Ohio this week for UFC 96.
Faber is managed by the same group that manages UFC light heavyweight Mark Munoz, who is slated to make his Octagon debut this Saturday vs. TUF 3 veteran Matt Hamill.
“We are in hopes that an agreement will come shortly,” Mike Roberts of MMA Inc. told KHTK. “We are working diligently on both sides to ensure an agreement that is beneficial to both parties.”
As soon as Faber’s new deal can be finalized, the path will then be clear for both he and Brown to sign bout agreements for the potential June title fight.
A rematch between current World Extreme Cagefighting featherweight champion Mike Thomas Brown and Urijah Faber, the man he took the title from this past November at WEC 36, has appeared inevitable for quite some time.
However, according to Dana White, the inevitable could be on the verge of becoming official. During an exclusive interview with the UFC president, he not only expressed his confidence that the fight is going to happen, but hinted that it could headline the WEC’s first-ever pay-per-view.
“I’m very confident its going to happen,” White said in an exclusive comment to KHTK radio in Sacramento while on location in Germany, where he was working to promote UFC 99. “… I’m very, very confident it’s going to be on pay-per-view… (And) I’m very, very, very confident it will happen in Sacramento.”
White indicated the potential PPV is likely to be price pointed at $39.95.
While Brown vs. Faber II has yet to be finalized, all signs point to a June date at the Arco Arena in Faber’s hometown of Sacramento, Calif., a story that this reported first broke two months ago.
Several hurdles, such as Faber’s impending free agency, must be overcome before the matchup can become official. However, a contract resolution is expected soon, as Faber’s management will be in Columbus, Ohio this week for UFC 96.
Faber is managed by the same group that manages UFC light heavyweight Mark Munoz, who is slated to make his Octagon debut this Saturday vs. TUF 3 veteran Matt Hamill.
“We are in hopes that an agreement will come shortly,” Mike Roberts of MMA Inc. told KHTK. “We are working diligently on both sides to ensure an agreement that is beneficial to both parties.”
As soon as Faber’s new deal can be finalized, the path will then be clear for both he and Brown to sign bout agreements for the potential June title fight.
Vera Became What He Never Liked, Then Changed
He rode into the UFC on a horse called hype and backed it up with four straight wins, including a brutal first-round battering of current interim heavyweight champ Frank Mir. But strained contract negotiations have topped a list of problems for Brandon Vera over the last two years, which saw him fight only four more times. The 31-year-old fighter lost three of his last four bouts, but Vera goes into his heavyweight tilt against Mike Patt this Saturday at UFC 96 in Columbus, Ohio, a changed fighter.
“The reason why everyone knew about me before I even came onto the scene was because of my hard work ethic and my willingness to compete and go do everything, Grapplers Quest, Pan-American Games, muay Thai tournaments,” Vera told the Sherdog Radio Network’s “Savage Dog Show” on Monday. “If it was anything related to fighting, I was in and I was there. That’s why I had such a strong grassroots fan base and everybody knew who I was.”
As his following continued to grow with his early UFC success, Vera lost sight of how he got there.
“Somewhere along the lines I became one of those guys I used to talk s--- about,” said Vera. “I stopped training and doing the things that got me here in the first place. I don’t know when it happened or why it happened or how it happened. But it happened. ’08 definitely was not great. I’m sad to say that it went that way.”
Vera, who came up on the short end of a split decision to Keith Jardine at UFC 89 in Birmingham, England last October, admits he was going through the motions.
“I just wasn’t into it,” said Vera. “I was training and doing my thing. I would be the hardest working guy in the gym. But my mind wasn’t into it. I wasn’t excited to go back to the gym or do my second training session or my third training session. It all changed now though. I found some new coaches and I had some guys kick me in the butt.”
The jolt didn’t include having a say in who his next opponent would be.
“They didn’t ask me what I thought about Mike Patt,” said Vera. “They said you’re fighting Mike Patt. That was pretty much it. I do (like it that way). I got lost last year among a whole bunch of BS. My head got a little bit swollen… actually a lot a bit swollen. I started not doing the things I was supposed to be doing and still fighting some of the best guys in the world. Even though I was losing, I wasn’t losing bad so I figured I was doing OK. It’s kind of a good thing my managing group is telling me who I’m fighting now instead of asking me who I want to fight.”
Vera knows he needs to get back on track, even if that means making some very painful changes to his daily routine. The once-feared striker hopes the changes will keep Patt the wrestler at bay.
“Everything has changed,” said Vera. “It’s retarded. My diet, my work ethic, everything. I don’t eat bad stuff. If you were with me last year and seen what I’m doing now you would think something’s wrong with me. That’s how much things have changed. I can’t remember the last time I had a donut. It’s bad. I don’t eat ice cream anymore. That was my favorite thing in the world. Now I eat frozen yogurt if I need to get a fix. Non-fat frozen yogurt. Come on man… I’m going to eat real well on Sunday, I’ll tell you that much.”
He rode into the UFC on a horse called hype and backed it up with four straight wins, including a brutal first-round battering of current interim heavyweight champ Frank Mir. But strained contract negotiations have topped a list of problems for Brandon Vera over the last two years, which saw him fight only four more times. The 31-year-old fighter lost three of his last four bouts, but Vera goes into his heavyweight tilt against Mike Patt this Saturday at UFC 96 in Columbus, Ohio, a changed fighter.
“The reason why everyone knew about me before I even came onto the scene was because of my hard work ethic and my willingness to compete and go do everything, Grapplers Quest, Pan-American Games, muay Thai tournaments,” Vera told the Sherdog Radio Network’s “Savage Dog Show” on Monday. “If it was anything related to fighting, I was in and I was there. That’s why I had such a strong grassroots fan base and everybody knew who I was.”
As his following continued to grow with his early UFC success, Vera lost sight of how he got there.
“Somewhere along the lines I became one of those guys I used to talk s--- about,” said Vera. “I stopped training and doing the things that got me here in the first place. I don’t know when it happened or why it happened or how it happened. But it happened. ’08 definitely was not great. I’m sad to say that it went that way.”
Vera, who came up on the short end of a split decision to Keith Jardine at UFC 89 in Birmingham, England last October, admits he was going through the motions.
“I just wasn’t into it,” said Vera. “I was training and doing my thing. I would be the hardest working guy in the gym. But my mind wasn’t into it. I wasn’t excited to go back to the gym or do my second training session or my third training session. It all changed now though. I found some new coaches and I had some guys kick me in the butt.”
The jolt didn’t include having a say in who his next opponent would be.
“They didn’t ask me what I thought about Mike Patt,” said Vera. “They said you’re fighting Mike Patt. That was pretty much it. I do (like it that way). I got lost last year among a whole bunch of BS. My head got a little bit swollen… actually a lot a bit swollen. I started not doing the things I was supposed to be doing and still fighting some of the best guys in the world. Even though I was losing, I wasn’t losing bad so I figured I was doing OK. It’s kind of a good thing my managing group is telling me who I’m fighting now instead of asking me who I want to fight.”
Vera knows he needs to get back on track, even if that means making some very painful changes to his daily routine. The once-feared striker hopes the changes will keep Patt the wrestler at bay.
“Everything has changed,” said Vera. “It’s retarded. My diet, my work ethic, everything. I don’t eat bad stuff. If you were with me last year and seen what I’m doing now you would think something’s wrong with me. That’s how much things have changed. I can’t remember the last time I had a donut. It’s bad. I don’t eat ice cream anymore. That was my favorite thing in the world. Now I eat frozen yogurt if I need to get a fix. Non-fat frozen yogurt. Come on man… I’m going to eat real well on Sunday, I’ll tell you that much.”
Sidelnikov Suspended for Steroid Use
The man touted as “Baby Fedor,” Kirill Sidelnikov has been suspended one year for testing positive for the steroid Stanozolol, said the California State Athletic Commission on Tuesday.
Sidelnikov (5-3), a Red Devil teammate to the world’s top heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko, lost a slugfest in his U.S. debut against Paul Buentello at Affliction “Day of Reckoning” on Jan. 24 in Anaheim, Calif. The 20-year-old Russian went blow-for-blow early with the more experienced Buentello (27-10), but was floored by a barrage of strikes in the final period, prompting referee John McCarthy to call in a ringside physician to check on the battered fighter. The bout was promptly called off.
Also used in horse racing, Stanozolol promotes muscle growth and strength increases, usually without excessive weight gain.
If the suspension remains uncontested, Sidelnikov will be eligible to re-apply for licensure in California after Jan. 18, 2010 and will pay a $2,500 fine.
Representatives for Sidelnikov were not immediately available for comment.
The CSAC also announced that Wesley "Cabbage" Correira has been suspended for six months and fined $1,000 for testing positive for marijuana. Correira had been scheduled to face Buddy Roberts at a co-promoted Wargods and Ken Shamrock Productions event on Feb. 13 in Fresno, Calif., but withdrew from the fight last-minute due to a contract dispute with the promotion. Correira was issued a drug test prior to fight night.
“700 ng/mL is 685 ng/mL above the cutoff level for marijuana,” wrote CSAC Assistant Executive Officer Bill Douglas of Correira’s tested levels via email.
The CSAC also notified Correira in writing on Feb. 20 that he would be placed under suspension until he satisfied his one-fight contract with Wargods. A Wargods rep told Sherdog.com that the promotion planned to bring the Hawaiian heavyweight back as their headliner for a May 30 event in San Diego, though Corriera’s drug suspension will supersede those plans.
The man touted as “Baby Fedor,” Kirill Sidelnikov has been suspended one year for testing positive for the steroid Stanozolol, said the California State Athletic Commission on Tuesday.
Sidelnikov (5-3), a Red Devil teammate to the world’s top heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko, lost a slugfest in his U.S. debut against Paul Buentello at Affliction “Day of Reckoning” on Jan. 24 in Anaheim, Calif. The 20-year-old Russian went blow-for-blow early with the more experienced Buentello (27-10), but was floored by a barrage of strikes in the final period, prompting referee John McCarthy to call in a ringside physician to check on the battered fighter. The bout was promptly called off.
Also used in horse racing, Stanozolol promotes muscle growth and strength increases, usually without excessive weight gain.
If the suspension remains uncontested, Sidelnikov will be eligible to re-apply for licensure in California after Jan. 18, 2010 and will pay a $2,500 fine.
Representatives for Sidelnikov were not immediately available for comment.
The CSAC also announced that Wesley "Cabbage" Correira has been suspended for six months and fined $1,000 for testing positive for marijuana. Correira had been scheduled to face Buddy Roberts at a co-promoted Wargods and Ken Shamrock Productions event on Feb. 13 in Fresno, Calif., but withdrew from the fight last-minute due to a contract dispute with the promotion. Correira was issued a drug test prior to fight night.
“700 ng/mL is 685 ng/mL above the cutoff level for marijuana,” wrote CSAC Assistant Executive Officer Bill Douglas of Correira’s tested levels via email.
The CSAC also notified Correira in writing on Feb. 20 that he would be placed under suspension until he satisfied his one-fight contract with Wargods. A Wargods rep told Sherdog.com that the promotion planned to bring the Hawaiian heavyweight back as their headliner for a May 30 event in San Diego, though Corriera’s drug suspension will supersede those plans.
Paul Taylor and Stefan Struve reportedly set to return at UFC 99 (Updated)
Welterweight Paul Taylor (9-4-1 MMA, 2-3 UFC) and heavyweight Stefan Struve (16-3 MMA, 0-1 UFC) will return in June at UFC 99, though opponents have not been determined for either fighter.
The report comes from the U.K.-based Fighter's Only.
The event, officially announced today as "UFC 99: The Comeback," takes place June 13 at Lanxess Arena in Cologne, Germany, and features a main event between Rich Franklin and Wanderlei Silva.
It's the UFC's first event in Germany.
After returning from what will be an eight-month layoff, Taylor will return to the UFC for his sixth non.-U.S. UFC event.
Taylor, who first joined the UFC in 2007, most recently suffered a unanimous-decision loss to Chris Lytle at UFC 89 in October. He owns UFC victories over Edilberto de Oliveira and Jess Liaudin and has additional losses to Marcus Davis and Paul Kelly.
Struve, a Dutch heavyweight who recently turned 21, will get a second chance in the UFC after suffering a 54-second TKO to Junior Dos Santos earlier this month at UFC 95.
Prior to the fight, the 6-foot-11 Struve was 15-1 in his previous 16 fights with 15 stoppages (11 via submission).
Welterweight Paul Taylor (9-4-1 MMA, 2-3 UFC) and heavyweight Stefan Struve (16-3 MMA, 0-1 UFC) will return in June at UFC 99, though opponents have not been determined for either fighter.
The report comes from the U.K.-based Fighter's Only.
The event, officially announced today as "UFC 99: The Comeback," takes place June 13 at Lanxess Arena in Cologne, Germany, and features a main event between Rich Franklin and Wanderlei Silva.
It's the UFC's first event in Germany.
After returning from what will be an eight-month layoff, Taylor will return to the UFC for his sixth non.-U.S. UFC event.
Taylor, who first joined the UFC in 2007, most recently suffered a unanimous-decision loss to Chris Lytle at UFC 89 in October. He owns UFC victories over Edilberto de Oliveira and Jess Liaudin and has additional losses to Marcus Davis and Paul Kelly.
Struve, a Dutch heavyweight who recently turned 21, will get a second chance in the UFC after suffering a 54-second TKO to Junior Dos Santos earlier this month at UFC 95.
Prior to the fight, the 6-foot-11 Struve was 15-1 in his previous 16 fights with 15 stoppages (11 via submission).
The field is set for Sengoku's March 20 featherweight grand prix
With the addition of Kim Jong Man (3-5-2), World Victory Road has set the field for its 16-man featherweight grand prix, which commences March 20 at the organization's Sengoku Seventh Battle event.
Man, a K-1 and DEEP veteran who's 0-3-2 in his past five fights, took the last spot in the tournament, which features the likes of L.C. Davis, Nam Phan, Michihiro Omigawa and others.
Sengoku Seventh Battle takes place at the National Yoyogi Stadium in Tokyo, Japan, and airs live in North America on HDNet.
The full field now includes Man, Davis, Phan, Omigawa, Matt Jaggers, Hatsu Hioki, Masanori Kanehara, Hideki Kadowaki, Tetsuya Yamada, Marlon Sandro, Ronnie Ushiwaka, Chris Manuel, Nick Denis, Jung Chan Sung, Seiya Kawahara, Shintaro Ishiwatari.
Although no opening-round matchups have been announced, rumored fights include Phan vs. Kadowaki, Davis vs. Omigawa and Sandro vs. Jaggers.
The grand prix takes place throughout the first half of 2009 and concludes later this summer.
Sengoku Seventh Battle also features a previously announced light-heavyweight bout between Ryo Kawamura (9-3-2) and Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal (3-0), and the organization recently confirmed a reported heavyweight bout between James Thompson (14-9) and "Big" Jim York (9-1).
With the addition of Kim Jong Man (3-5-2), World Victory Road has set the field for its 16-man featherweight grand prix, which commences March 20 at the organization's Sengoku Seventh Battle event.
Man, a K-1 and DEEP veteran who's 0-3-2 in his past five fights, took the last spot in the tournament, which features the likes of L.C. Davis, Nam Phan, Michihiro Omigawa and others.
Sengoku Seventh Battle takes place at the National Yoyogi Stadium in Tokyo, Japan, and airs live in North America on HDNet.
The full field now includes Man, Davis, Phan, Omigawa, Matt Jaggers, Hatsu Hioki, Masanori Kanehara, Hideki Kadowaki, Tetsuya Yamada, Marlon Sandro, Ronnie Ushiwaka, Chris Manuel, Nick Denis, Jung Chan Sung, Seiya Kawahara, Shintaro Ishiwatari.
Although no opening-round matchups have been announced, rumored fights include Phan vs. Kadowaki, Davis vs. Omigawa and Sandro vs. Jaggers.
The grand prix takes place throughout the first half of 2009 and concludes later this summer.
Sengoku Seventh Battle also features a previously announced light-heavyweight bout between Ryo Kawamura (9-3-2) and Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal (3-0), and the organization recently confirmed a reported heavyweight bout between James Thompson (14-9) and "Big" Jim York (9-1).
BELCHER VS SAKARA ON TAP FOR UFC 99 IN GERMANY
A middleweight tilt between American Top Team fighter Alessio Sakara and Roufusport fighter Alan Belcher appears set to take place at UFC 99 in Germany.
Sources close to both camps said the fighters have agreed to the June 13 fight. Bout agreements should be signed shortly.
Belcher, 24, is returning following a come-from-behind win against highly touted import Denis Kang. On the road to dropping two rounds during their UFC 93 encounter, Belcher took advantage of a lapse in Kang’s technique, submitting him with a guillotine choke after he shot for a takedown and left his neck exposed.
Since making his debut at UFC 62, the Muay Thai specialist has gone 5-3 in UFC competition, with the Kang win bringing his second pair of consecutive victories in roughly three years of competition. Belcher carries an overall professional record of 14-5.
Sakara, a 27-year-old native of Rome, Italy, is coming off a blistering knockout of newcomer Joe Vedepo at UFC Fight Night: Diaz vs. Neer last September. Always down for a brawl, the fighter has lived by the sword and died by the sword, with his last six appearances ending by KO or TKO. Of those six, he carries three wins paired by as many losses, with a submission loss to Dean Lister and no contest against Ron Faircloth marking the first of his nine UFC appearances. Overall, he carries a professional record of 17-7 with the no contest.
A middleweight tilt between American Top Team fighter Alessio Sakara and Roufusport fighter Alan Belcher appears set to take place at UFC 99 in Germany.
Sources close to both camps said the fighters have agreed to the June 13 fight. Bout agreements should be signed shortly.
Belcher, 24, is returning following a come-from-behind win against highly touted import Denis Kang. On the road to dropping two rounds during their UFC 93 encounter, Belcher took advantage of a lapse in Kang’s technique, submitting him with a guillotine choke after he shot for a takedown and left his neck exposed.
Since making his debut at UFC 62, the Muay Thai specialist has gone 5-3 in UFC competition, with the Kang win bringing his second pair of consecutive victories in roughly three years of competition. Belcher carries an overall professional record of 14-5.
Sakara, a 27-year-old native of Rome, Italy, is coming off a blistering knockout of newcomer Joe Vedepo at UFC Fight Night: Diaz vs. Neer last September. Always down for a brawl, the fighter has lived by the sword and died by the sword, with his last six appearances ending by KO or TKO. Of those six, he carries three wins paired by as many losses, with a submission loss to Dean Lister and no contest against Ron Faircloth marking the first of his nine UFC appearances. Overall, he carries a professional record of 17-7 with the no contest.
THE MILLLER BROTHERS LEAD BY EXAMPLE
When brothers Dan and Jim Miller signed on with the UFC, many fans were not familiar with the New Jersey tandem, but it didn't take long for just about everybody to take notice of what they were doing right.
Dan Miller is now a perfect 3-0 in the Octagon with his last win coming against former NCAA champion wrestler Jake Rosholt in early February. His brother, Jim Miller, currently sits at 2-0, and is looking for a third win next weekend when he faces Gray Maynard at UFC 96.
While Jim will have a full camp to prepare for Maynard, both he and his brother have become synonymous with stepping up on short notice and taking fights on just a moment's notice.
Mike Constantino, leader of the AMA Fight Club, where Dan and Jim Miller train, says that they've got it down to a science when preparing for a fight with little notice or a full training camp.
"The preparation's pretty simple. You're not going to learn anything new in a week or two weeks or three weeks, it's not like we're going to teach new techniques," Constantino said in an interview with MMAWeekly.com. "They stay sharp, they stay in shape the whole time. The good thing about being part of a large camp that has over 30 professional fighters, somebody is always training for a fight. The good thing about the Millers is they are the best teammates that you could ever have."
The Miller brothers have served as an example to teammates and new fighters coming into the gym with their selfless attitude towards helping their teammates.
"One story, Jim Miller went three rounds with Bart Palaszewski in the IFL on a Friday night and Sunday morning he was in the gym helping his teammate prepare for a fight," Constantino commented. "Those are the types of guys that they are. Most guys would have taken off for two weeks. The Millers are back in the gym, they're always training."
Working with lead jiu-jitsu instructor and Renzo Gracie black belt Jamie Cruz, along with Constantino, who leads the striking instruction, and new strength and conditioning coach Martin Rooney, the AMA Fight team has tried to implement all the elements to turn the Miller brothers into champions.
One of the most recent occasions that the UFC came calling for one of the Miller brothers to step in and fight was when teammate Frankie Edgar was forced out of his scheduled bout against Matt Wiman at the UFC Fight for the Troops show in December. Just coming back from his honeymoon and after celebrating Thanksgiving with his family, Jim Miller was called on Tuesday, just one week away from fight time, and asked to step in.
"I said, 'Jim, you've got a fight on Wednesday night, seven days from now, what's your weight?' It was like 180 or 170-something, and I said, 'Can you do it?' He said we will do it," Constantino recalled.
That attitude has become a welcome addition for Dan in the UFC's middleweight division and Jim in the lightweight class, and it's something Constantino told UFC matchmaker Joe Silva to expect as soon as the family of fighters signed on with the promotion.
"We told Joe Silva from day one, you give the Miller brothers a chance, we'll fight anyone, any place, any day and any time, and we've lived up to it," said Constantino. "He's called numerous occasions and we've never turned down a fight, nor would we ever."
With a growing roster of fighters, the Miller brothers have served as an example to their peers and it's their heart, determination, and leadership that make them such a commodity in their gym.
"They're leaders from top to bottom," Constantino said. "I would never ask somebody in my gym to do something that I wouldn't do, or I haven't done in my past. To have somebody there like a Danny or Jimmy, to lead by example, is great. It makes people want to train."
The next test for the Miller brothers will come for Jim as he heads to Columbus, Ohio, and faces Gray "The Bully" Maynard on March 7 at UFC 96.
When brothers Dan and Jim Miller signed on with the UFC, many fans were not familiar with the New Jersey tandem, but it didn't take long for just about everybody to take notice of what they were doing right.
Dan Miller is now a perfect 3-0 in the Octagon with his last win coming against former NCAA champion wrestler Jake Rosholt in early February. His brother, Jim Miller, currently sits at 2-0, and is looking for a third win next weekend when he faces Gray Maynard at UFC 96.
While Jim will have a full camp to prepare for Maynard, both he and his brother have become synonymous with stepping up on short notice and taking fights on just a moment's notice.
Mike Constantino, leader of the AMA Fight Club, where Dan and Jim Miller train, says that they've got it down to a science when preparing for a fight with little notice or a full training camp.
"The preparation's pretty simple. You're not going to learn anything new in a week or two weeks or three weeks, it's not like we're going to teach new techniques," Constantino said in an interview with MMAWeekly.com. "They stay sharp, they stay in shape the whole time. The good thing about being part of a large camp that has over 30 professional fighters, somebody is always training for a fight. The good thing about the Millers is they are the best teammates that you could ever have."
The Miller brothers have served as an example to teammates and new fighters coming into the gym with their selfless attitude towards helping their teammates.
"One story, Jim Miller went three rounds with Bart Palaszewski in the IFL on a Friday night and Sunday morning he was in the gym helping his teammate prepare for a fight," Constantino commented. "Those are the types of guys that they are. Most guys would have taken off for two weeks. The Millers are back in the gym, they're always training."
Working with lead jiu-jitsu instructor and Renzo Gracie black belt Jamie Cruz, along with Constantino, who leads the striking instruction, and new strength and conditioning coach Martin Rooney, the AMA Fight team has tried to implement all the elements to turn the Miller brothers into champions.
One of the most recent occasions that the UFC came calling for one of the Miller brothers to step in and fight was when teammate Frankie Edgar was forced out of his scheduled bout against Matt Wiman at the UFC Fight for the Troops show in December. Just coming back from his honeymoon and after celebrating Thanksgiving with his family, Jim Miller was called on Tuesday, just one week away from fight time, and asked to step in.
"I said, 'Jim, you've got a fight on Wednesday night, seven days from now, what's your weight?' It was like 180 or 170-something, and I said, 'Can you do it?' He said we will do it," Constantino recalled.
That attitude has become a welcome addition for Dan in the UFC's middleweight division and Jim in the lightweight class, and it's something Constantino told UFC matchmaker Joe Silva to expect as soon as the family of fighters signed on with the promotion.
"We told Joe Silva from day one, you give the Miller brothers a chance, we'll fight anyone, any place, any day and any time, and we've lived up to it," said Constantino. "He's called numerous occasions and we've never turned down a fight, nor would we ever."
With a growing roster of fighters, the Miller brothers have served as an example to their peers and it's their heart, determination, and leadership that make them such a commodity in their gym.
"They're leaders from top to bottom," Constantino said. "I would never ask somebody in my gym to do something that I wouldn't do, or I haven't done in my past. To have somebody there like a Danny or Jimmy, to lead by example, is great. It makes people want to train."
The next test for the Miller brothers will come for Jim as he heads to Columbus, Ohio, and faces Gray "The Bully" Maynard on March 7 at UFC 96.
Dos Santos surprised with the fast TKO
Stepping in the octagon two times, Junior “Cigano” dos Santos needed less than 90 seconds to knock two opponents out. At UFC 90, Fabricio Werdum was the victim, and now (UFC 95), Stefan Struve couldn’t handle his striking. “Tanks God everything did right again,” said Junior. “I went to that fight to knock him out, it was what we’ve trained, but I didn’t believe it would happen so fast. He let me stay close to him and I could work”.
After the judge stop the fight, Struve protested. “He said he was ok, he could continue fighting,” revealed dos Santos. “But he watched the video and saw he felt my punches and felt, unconscious, and then came back. He suffered two knockdowns. The judge did right”. About his next challenge, the Brazilian doesn’t know who can step in against him.
“They didn’t said anything to me,” told the Brazilian. “I heard I could face Heath Herring, but then I heard he was going to Bellator event. Maybe I can fight Chick Kongo now… I hope they put some guy with a good name against me. I think it’d be an interesting fight against him (Kongo), he’s very strong, but doesn’t know a thing on the ground, he’s pretty weak. I think we’d do a great fight standing, very aggressive, and I’d be better than him on the ground, easily”.
Stepping in the octagon two times, Junior “Cigano” dos Santos needed less than 90 seconds to knock two opponents out. At UFC 90, Fabricio Werdum was the victim, and now (UFC 95), Stefan Struve couldn’t handle his striking. “Tanks God everything did right again,” said Junior. “I went to that fight to knock him out, it was what we’ve trained, but I didn’t believe it would happen so fast. He let me stay close to him and I could work”.
After the judge stop the fight, Struve protested. “He said he was ok, he could continue fighting,” revealed dos Santos. “But he watched the video and saw he felt my punches and felt, unconscious, and then came back. He suffered two knockdowns. The judge did right”. About his next challenge, the Brazilian doesn’t know who can step in against him.
“They didn’t said anything to me,” told the Brazilian. “I heard I could face Heath Herring, but then I heard he was going to Bellator event. Maybe I can fight Chick Kongo now… I hope they put some guy with a good name against me. I think it’d be an interesting fight against him (Kongo), he’s very strong, but doesn’t know a thing on the ground, he’s pretty weak. I think we’d do a great fight standing, very aggressive, and I’d be better than him on the ground, easily”.
Wanderlei: “I’ll be ready for Rich Franklin”
With one victory in three fights at UFC’s octagon, Wanderlei Silva decided to drop to middleweight division, where he faces one of the best fighters of the category. Former champion, Rich Franklin was the last man to hold the belt before the beginning of Anderson Silva’s domain in the octagon, but comes from recent defeat to Dan Henderson. With the next fight confirmed, Wanderlei is excited for a new victory.
"Fighting with him is incredible, because he was the last champion before Anderson. He is a great fighter, a complete guy and it’s a good fight for me in this new category. He has a good ground, good striking, good takedowns and I think it’ll be a good fight for me. I’m bringing many guy from Brazil to train with me that are also complete fighters, I’ll be ready for him", says the Brazilian, in an interview for the Fighters Only Magazine site. The catchweight (195lbs) fight is scheduled for UFC 99, on June 13th, in Germany.
With one victory in three fights at UFC’s octagon, Wanderlei Silva decided to drop to middleweight division, where he faces one of the best fighters of the category. Former champion, Rich Franklin was the last man to hold the belt before the beginning of Anderson Silva’s domain in the octagon, but comes from recent defeat to Dan Henderson. With the next fight confirmed, Wanderlei is excited for a new victory.
"Fighting with him is incredible, because he was the last champion before Anderson. He is a great fighter, a complete guy and it’s a good fight for me in this new category. He has a good ground, good striking, good takedowns and I think it’ll be a good fight for me. I’m bringing many guy from Brazil to train with me that are also complete fighters, I’ll be ready for him", says the Brazilian, in an interview for the Fighters Only Magazine site. The catchweight (195lbs) fight is scheduled for UFC 99, on June 13th, in Germany.
Yoshihiro Akiyama’s Big UFC plans
Yoshihiro Akiyama has some big plans for the USA, and from the sounds of it, the US Economy.
Earlier today Yoshihiro Akiyama held a press conference today in Tokyo to speak of his recent contract with the UFC, and the reason behind it, and future plans. Here is a sample of that Presser.
“I want to press forward, never forgetting the feeling of challenge. Right now we are in a depression but when you see the fight I put up, conditions will turn around!”
Yoshihiro Akiyama has some big plans for the USA, and from the sounds of it, the US Economy.
Earlier today Yoshihiro Akiyama held a press conference today in Tokyo to speak of his recent contract with the UFC, and the reason behind it, and future plans. Here is a sample of that Presser.
“I want to press forward, never forgetting the feeling of challenge. Right now we are in a depression but when you see the fight I put up, conditions will turn around!”
Top Fight! Nam Phan Vs. Hideki Kadowaki
It has been announced on Nam Phan’s site that he will face former Shooto champion Hideki Kadowaki in the first round of the SENGOKU Featherweight GP.
SENGOKU VII
Date: March 20th, 2009
Place: National Yoyogi Stadium 2nd Gymnasium in Tokyo, Japan
Light Heavyweight Fight:
King Mo vs. Ryo Kawamura
Possible Featherweight GP Fights:
Marlon Sandro vs. Matt Jaggers
Nam Phan vs. Hideki Kadowaki
Michihiro Omigawa vs. L.C. Davis
Featherweight GP Participants:
Hatsu Hioki, Nick Denis, Ronnie Ushiwaka, Chris Manuel, Masanori Kanehara, Chan Sung Jung, Tetsuya Yamada, Seiya Kawahara, Shintaro Ishiwatari
Possible Fights:
James Thompson vs. Big Jim York
It has been announced on Nam Phan’s site that he will face former Shooto champion Hideki Kadowaki in the first round of the SENGOKU Featherweight GP.
SENGOKU VII
Date: March 20th, 2009
Place: National Yoyogi Stadium 2nd Gymnasium in Tokyo, Japan
Light Heavyweight Fight:
King Mo vs. Ryo Kawamura
Possible Featherweight GP Fights:
Marlon Sandro vs. Matt Jaggers
Nam Phan vs. Hideki Kadowaki
Michihiro Omigawa vs. L.C. Davis
Featherweight GP Participants:
Hatsu Hioki, Nick Denis, Ronnie Ushiwaka, Chris Manuel, Masanori Kanehara, Chan Sung Jung, Tetsuya Yamada, Seiya Kawahara, Shintaro Ishiwatari
Possible Fights:
James Thompson vs. Big Jim York
ya I was half joking, but a prime Kid is like a better version of Faber so I think he could beat them both. But we'll see how he looks in the GP.
Also I'm wondering if Struve could be fighting Cro Cop. After what Junior did to him and his managers leaking all the UFC contract info it would make sense, have Cro Cop kill him and start building the hype again.
Also I'm wondering if Struve could be fighting Cro Cop. After what Junior did to him and his managers leaking all the UFC contract info it would make sense, have Cro Cop kill him and start building the hype again.
Faber Doubts Brown Rematch Will Launch WEC PPV
Not long after Mike Thomas Brown successfully defended his featherweight title from Leonard Garcia at WEC 39 last Sunday, the TV cameras turned to Urijah Faber. Faber wore a confident smile, knowing he’d have the opportunity to face the man who stole the title from him last November.
Just where fans will have to go to watch the rematch is the question of the moment. Recent speculation points to a pay-per-view event, the very first for the promotion, which was bought by Zuffa LLC., who also own the UFC, in December 2006. Faber isn’t so sure.
“I don’t know if they would do a pay-per-view for this one,” Faber told the Sherdog Radio Network’s “Beatdown” show on Monday. “Probably not. I think they’re going to do some build-up. Maybe toward the end of the year they would do a pay-per-view, but I don’t think this is going to be a pay-per-view.”
Arguably the promotion’s brightest star alongside bantamweight champ Miguel Torres, Faber has flourished as an MMA spokesman on the Versus Network, which has broadcasted live WEC events since mid 2007. Faber seemed partial to his second go with Brown (21-4) there.
“Versus is putting a lot of investment in this as well and they’re having big fights. [The WEC] kind of owe it to them to have it on there, so it is what it is,” said the 28-year-old Faber. “It’s a fight that’s going to draw a lot of viewers and it’ll be for free I’m thinking.”
If pay-per-view not be the platform though, Faber (22-2) still expects a big push to be made for the headlining bout, which he anticipates could happen in June.
“I definitely think it needs to happen,” said Faber. “They need to put money behind it if they want this organization to grow, which they’re all talking like they do. They need to put money behind it. Zuffa needs to put money behind it. Versus needs to put money behind it. Everyone else needs to do their part. I’m going to do my part and make exciting fights. I’m going to do everything I can to promote the fight.”
Faber hardly knew what hit him when Brown countered an ill-timed back elbow from Faber and sent him flying to the canvas in their first brief encounter at WEC 36. On Sunday, Faber had a better angle sitting cageside to watch Brown, an American Top Team standout, move through his first title defense. “The California Kid” took a lot of mental notes.
“I’ve seen his wrestling and it’s pretty good for the sport, but my wrestling overall is a lot better,” said Faber. “He’s got strong jiu-jitsu but I’m more elusive and I think I could come out on top in that battle as well. I think I can beat him in the standup as well. Last time I got caught with a big punch after I was throwing a crazy elbow and that was the big difference. I saw [Sunday] that was no fluke. He’s got power and poise. He’s someone to be reckoned with.”
Still, Faber saw potential openings.
“The big thing I saw is Mike Brown likes to be stationary,” Faber said. “He’s a big strong powerful guy for the weight. When his feet are planted, I wouldn’t say he’s a counter-puncher; he’s about counter movement. He waits for someone to come toward him and he swings those big heavy punches and tries to catch guys. They’re slow.”
Faber had others to keep an eye on last Sunday as well. If Brown-Faber II fails to make the pay-per-view rounds, Jose Aldo (14-1) waits in the wings for either fighter. The Nova Uniao standout has blazed through four consecutive opponents in the WEC cage, including his last victim Chris Mickle, who Aldo iced in 99 seconds last Sunday.
“He’s really talented standing up and he seems pretty talented on the ground as well,” said Faber, “but I think they need to test him a little bit more. His last fight was almost like a joke. They put that guy in there at the last minute. I heard he cut a lot of weight. It didn’t look like he was the most well rounded guy on the planet. So not discrediting Jose, he’s making all these guys look bad because he’s extremely talented. I think when I get this title shot with Brown there will be a title shot for Aldo in the near future.”
Faber will first seize the opportunity that not all fighters get: the chance to avenge a particular stinging defeat.
“I imagine they’ll make [Brown-Faber II] a huge deal because it is a huge deal -- the best fighters in the world at 145 pounds and the most exciting fighters in the world,” said Faber. “So I can’t wait to do it and be a part of it and get my belt back and watch it and drink a beer when I’m done.”
Not long after Mike Thomas Brown successfully defended his featherweight title from Leonard Garcia at WEC 39 last Sunday, the TV cameras turned to Urijah Faber. Faber wore a confident smile, knowing he’d have the opportunity to face the man who stole the title from him last November.
Just where fans will have to go to watch the rematch is the question of the moment. Recent speculation points to a pay-per-view event, the very first for the promotion, which was bought by Zuffa LLC., who also own the UFC, in December 2006. Faber isn’t so sure.
“I don’t know if they would do a pay-per-view for this one,” Faber told the Sherdog Radio Network’s “Beatdown” show on Monday. “Probably not. I think they’re going to do some build-up. Maybe toward the end of the year they would do a pay-per-view, but I don’t think this is going to be a pay-per-view.”
Arguably the promotion’s brightest star alongside bantamweight champ Miguel Torres, Faber has flourished as an MMA spokesman on the Versus Network, which has broadcasted live WEC events since mid 2007. Faber seemed partial to his second go with Brown (21-4) there.
“Versus is putting a lot of investment in this as well and they’re having big fights. [The WEC] kind of owe it to them to have it on there, so it is what it is,” said the 28-year-old Faber. “It’s a fight that’s going to draw a lot of viewers and it’ll be for free I’m thinking.”
If pay-per-view not be the platform though, Faber (22-2) still expects a big push to be made for the headlining bout, which he anticipates could happen in June.
“I definitely think it needs to happen,” said Faber. “They need to put money behind it if they want this organization to grow, which they’re all talking like they do. They need to put money behind it. Zuffa needs to put money behind it. Versus needs to put money behind it. Everyone else needs to do their part. I’m going to do my part and make exciting fights. I’m going to do everything I can to promote the fight.”
Faber hardly knew what hit him when Brown countered an ill-timed back elbow from Faber and sent him flying to the canvas in their first brief encounter at WEC 36. On Sunday, Faber had a better angle sitting cageside to watch Brown, an American Top Team standout, move through his first title defense. “The California Kid” took a lot of mental notes.
“I’ve seen his wrestling and it’s pretty good for the sport, but my wrestling overall is a lot better,” said Faber. “He’s got strong jiu-jitsu but I’m more elusive and I think I could come out on top in that battle as well. I think I can beat him in the standup as well. Last time I got caught with a big punch after I was throwing a crazy elbow and that was the big difference. I saw [Sunday] that was no fluke. He’s got power and poise. He’s someone to be reckoned with.”
Still, Faber saw potential openings.
“The big thing I saw is Mike Brown likes to be stationary,” Faber said. “He’s a big strong powerful guy for the weight. When his feet are planted, I wouldn’t say he’s a counter-puncher; he’s about counter movement. He waits for someone to come toward him and he swings those big heavy punches and tries to catch guys. They’re slow.”
Faber had others to keep an eye on last Sunday as well. If Brown-Faber II fails to make the pay-per-view rounds, Jose Aldo (14-1) waits in the wings for either fighter. The Nova Uniao standout has blazed through four consecutive opponents in the WEC cage, including his last victim Chris Mickle, who Aldo iced in 99 seconds last Sunday.
“He’s really talented standing up and he seems pretty talented on the ground as well,” said Faber, “but I think they need to test him a little bit more. His last fight was almost like a joke. They put that guy in there at the last minute. I heard he cut a lot of weight. It didn’t look like he was the most well rounded guy on the planet. So not discrediting Jose, he’s making all these guys look bad because he’s extremely talented. I think when I get this title shot with Brown there will be a title shot for Aldo in the near future.”
Faber will first seize the opportunity that not all fighters get: the chance to avenge a particular stinging defeat.
“I imagine they’ll make [Brown-Faber II] a huge deal because it is a huge deal -- the best fighters in the world at 145 pounds and the most exciting fighters in the world,” said Faber. “So I can’t wait to do it and be a part of it and get my belt back and watch it and drink a beer when I’m done.”