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The MMA Q and A: Mike Brown talks Jose Aldo, ATT, and respect
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Brown at WEC 41
To say Mike Brown has paid his dues in the sport of MMA would be a grave understatement. Brown, who sports a 22-4 record, is widely considered the world’s featherweight king, as well as being ranked in the top 5 pound for pound lists in almost all credible polls. He holds the WEC featherweight championship and is thought of by many to be one of the most exciting fighters in the sport. But all this success didn’t come overnight, and as the old saying goes, good things come to those who wait.
Brown started in MMA in 2001 and was widely regulated to the smaller shows popping up around the US and overseas. When he did get his big break at UFC 47, he lost to the legend that is Genki Sudo via an amazing armbar/triangle submission. That didn’t stop the native of Portland, Maine, however. In fact, it may have been the single biggest reason Mike Brown has become one of the world’s most exciting and dominating fighters.
After his loss to Sudo in 2004, Brown went on a tear, going 13-2 in a 5 year span. Keep in mind those 13 wins are over some of the best MMA has to offer--we are talking 2 wins over former featherweight kingpin Urijah Faber, a win over Yves Edwards, a win over Leonard Garcia, and a win over the always game Jeff Curran.
On November 18th, Brown will be facing one of the true phenom’s of the featherweight division, Brazilian lightning bolt, Jose Aldo. Aldo (15-1), has burst onto the MMA scene in the past year and has become an instant hit among fans. Not only does he sport a superb record, but he brings some of the most versatile and deadly striking the WEC has to offer. Even featherweight legend Jens Pulver admitted to wanting no part of this 145 lbs. nightmare.
As you will find out, that doesn’t phase Mike Brown one bit. After all, he’s the champ, and you have to beat the champ to be the champ. And when it really comes down to it, Brown has the most important factor on his side, experience.
Ryan McKinnell (Examiner.com): Well first off Mike, it’s been a little while since we last saw you. I guess it was the Urijah Faber fight back in June, so what has been up man? How has life been treating you?
Mike Brown: It’s great man, to be able to relax and have fun and not worry about when your next fight is going to be for a couple of months. It’s nice to be able to go to the gym and do whatever you want and just help other people or whatever. I’ve been traveling a little bit, my friend got married, just a bunch of little things--just catching up on life.
Examiner.com: Well, of course I have to ask about your training. So we are about 3 weeks out from the fight, how has it been down there training in Florida with ATT (American Top Team).
MB: Oh man, I’m in great shape and I’ve been training really hard for this fight for about 5 weeks now. I’m actually a little over-trained to be honest. I’m going to have to make a little 1 ½ week push after this little break I’m taking. I’ve been cutting it back to about 1 session a day but I’m going to pick it back up to 2, here in a week or so. I’m a little worn out.
Examiner.com: You know that’s one thing I hear a lot from fighters, it’s almost like a fine art--not over-training yourself.
MB: Oh yeah, of course, I mean you can train all day everyday if you want--you can almost become obsessed with it.
Examiner.com: Well I can only imagine, I mean, you are one of the biggest 145’ers in the game today. What are you weighing in at right now?
MB: Um, about 163/162, I’m in the low 60’s.
Examiner.com: Well, you are 34 and I have to imagine that the weight cut is getting a little more difficult. Have you thought about moving up to 155 at all, or is the cut still doable in your mind.
MB: No, no, I’m a 145’er. I mean, I’ll go up to 155 for a big fight next time, if they offer it. If it means more money, I would definitely do it.
Examiner.com: Right, right, but I know you fought Genki Sudo back at UFC 47 I think, a few years ago, and lost. Now, the UFC has a stacked 155 division, is that something you might want to do, go up and face the BJ Penn’s, the Diego Sanchez’s, the Sean Sherk’s, etc…?
MB: Yeah, you know, I just want big fights. If those are the fights people care about, then I’m down. I just really want to make exciting fights at this point in my career.
Examiner.com: There have been some rumblings that the UFC might dissolve the WEC and just make it one unit under the Zuffa banner. Do you have any thoughts on that?
MB: No, no, I don’t think that’s going to happen. I think they are really looking at, in the coming year, to put some big money into it and grow it as a brand. I think they want to put on more shows and I think they might be making the just to pay-per-view, so I really don’t see that happening anytime soon.
Examiner.com: Well I’m glad you said that, because I’ve always thought the WEC was a very solid brand. And to add to that, I still have friends that don’t know the WEC is owned by Zuffa (the UFC), so it really wouldn’t make much sense given how well they are doing.
MB: Yeah definitely, I mean you do run into some problems every now and again. You have the overlapping 155 weight class and you would love to see some of those match ups with some of those guys. So there are a few reasons to make the move but right now they are keeping the big guys on one show and the little guys on another, and that’s just how it is right now. (ED. Mike is referring to “big” and “small” weight classes, not talent.)
Examiner.com: You know, to me, you were always kind of one of the most overlooked fighters in MMA. I mean, you were a UFC vet, a fighter who fought at higher weight classes if need be, and to boot, you had an amazing record. What do you attribute to that early lack of recognition?
MB: TV fights, if you don’t get on TV no one knows who you are. I just started getting promoted on the WEC TV fights and people have started to take notice. I fought in a lot of smaller shows, and especially when I was coming up, I fought at 145 and nobody cared about 145. It was only a couple of years ago that these smaller weight classes began being promoted. If it’s not promoted and it’s not talked about, nobody cares man, but now with the WEC promoting these fights, with an actual World Champion, people are starting to take notice. And so finally people are beginning to see just how good these guys really are.
Examiner.com: Now to me Mike, you have always seemed like a shy guy. Not that you can’t handle yourself, or you aren’t well spoken, but you just seem kind of reserved. You don’t ever bad mouth anyone, you stay away from the trash talk--so, how has all this new found stardom been?
MB: It’s been pretty wild, you know? This past year has changed me quite a bit, there’s a lot of the same stuff, a lot of interviews and it’s usually the same questions, you know? You usually get 100 questions with the same answer given, but every now and again you get some good ones, so that’s cool. It’s been pretty cool getting to see a bunch of crazy stuff and watching the sport blow up like it has. I’m just loving the ride to be honest.
Examiner.com: That’s good, and you’ve been around forever, and I don’t want to give that a bad connotation, but you’ve definitely put in your dues. So with that said, it’s got to feel pretty darn good to see what the sport has become over these last few years.
MB: Yeah, this past year has really made it all worth it--the new found success, making money, all of this stuff was never happening before. I was really just fighting for fun and because I loved it, but now this past year has really made it great. You know, it’s like, “Wow man, this is amazing! I can’t believe this has all happened so quick.” So, yeah, it really has been a crazy year.
Examiner.com: Life’s funny that was, isn’t it?
MB: Absolutely. I wouldn’t have guessed it in a million years man.
Examiner.com: (laugh) Well yeah, I mean, I think that reserved attitude and the fact that you wear your heart on your sleeve, or your chest in your case…
MB: Yup, I just try to stay honest. I’m not fake, I speak how I feel, and I don’t bull s&!*, you know? If I thought I was going to go in there and crush everyone, then I would say that, but that’s not how these things work.
Examiner.com: All right, well lets switch gears here and talk about your opponent, Jose Aldo. I just have to say from a fans standpoint, I mean, wow! I don’t think you could ask for two more explosive fighters inside one cage.
MB: No doubt. It’s going to be a hell of a fight for sure.
Examiner.com: Is it safe to say he might be the most deadly striker you have ever faced?
MB: Well, I’ve fought some pretty tough strikers before, I fought Yves Edwards, I fought Mark Hominick. He’s not the first good striker that I’ve fought, but he is on a tear, and he does have a great record, so there is only one way to find out, and on November 18th we will see.
Examiner.com: When you look at Aldo though, he really does seem like the complete fighter. I mean, he has amazing stand up, real solid BJJ--so with that said, is there anything you see in Jose as a Mixed Martial Artist, that maybe you can capitalize on?
MB: It’s hard to man. It’s hard to get scouting tape on the guy, I mean he’s came on so quick there really isn’t much on him. I’ll just have to go in there and test the waters myself, hit him on his jaw, dump him on his head, take him down and beat him up, that’s all I can do really. I think I’ve fought better guys, I have more experience, more fights, I think I have the age factor on him.
Examiner.com: And I’d like to add--you know, Aldo hasn’t really been in any championship fights. Whereas you have been time tested, you’ve fought the wars, you have the cardio, and I really think that will be a huge advantage, the cardio.
MB: Yeah, I can go for a while. I went 5 rounds with Urijah and I could have went more, for sure. You know, we will definitely see how he does in the later rounds.
Examiner.com: I wanted to talk about American Top Team for a minute. Over the past few years ATT really has become one of the top camps in all of MMA. Just talk about what ATT means to you, and how great it is to have their backing.
MB: Yeah we have a ton of talent out here. You can learn so much form your teammates and your success, and what you are capable of, they all revolve around the team. We all really feed of each other, it really is like a community. The team chemistry is great and the coaching is superb--I couldn’t have made a better choice.
Examiner.com: Yeah, and like yourself, even if you didn’t start there, or whatever, when you get there, your game just goes through the roof.
MB: Yeah, I think I’m 12-1 since I got here.
Examiner.com: I was wondering, also, what type of dude are you outside the cage? What type of stuff do you do just to have a good time? What’s the real Mike Brown like?
MB: Oh man, I like to hang out with my buddies, I like to laugh, every funny movie that comes out, I’m usually watching it. I like to go to comedy clubs too, and really just party with my buddies. Just regular stuff to be honest.
Examiner.com: And the comedy scene is pretty great right now. I mean, wherever you go on a Friday and Saturday, chances are you are going to find someone pretty talented?
MB: Oh yeah, if I chuckle a little bit then it was worth the money, you know? If I smile it was worth it--I mean, everyone has a couple jokes that will make you laugh. They don’t have to have you rolling or anything, but if they make you crack a little bit…and most comedians have that ability.
Examiner.com: And you can definitely see the parallels between fighting and comedy, if that makes any sense. I mean, a lot of these guys, they put their heart and soul into their routines and….
MB: Yeah, yeah, yeah, for sure.
Examiner.com: And they risk their reputation to go out their and have the chance of getting booed off.
MB: Yeah, a lot of performance anxiety for sure.
Examiner.com: Yeah! And I mean, it’s kind of like a loss, you know, they have to go home and shake it off and deal with that embarrassment.
MB: Oh yeah, and they have to be stressed about it. Yeah that would be embarrassing man, you start telling your jokes and no one is laughing at you, you get nervous, you’d be getting the looks, your timing would be off.
Examiner.com: And another thing, with comedy you have to have a ton of self confidence, you know?
MB: Very true, very true, that’s a good point.
Examiner.com: You know, dealing with losses is a real important part of MMA. Bas Rutten always says that fighting is 90% mental and 10% physical, where do you lie in that argument?
MB: Oh, somewhere in the middle I guess. If you have someone who is mentally weak, and a guy who is very head strong then….I mean if a guy is just too overly skilled, he’s going to crush him anyways….but somewhere around 50/50 I guess. You can be horrible, but you can get pretty far with just mental toughness. You can only go so far though, you need to balance that out with skill.
Examiner.com: How do you react after a loss? Do you lock yourself in your room and eat some cookies, or do you just get back in the gym and bang heads?
MB: I have had both, you know? I’ve been depressed, and I’ve been fine. But I mean, I don’t take them well, obviously. I think that is why I train so hard, so I make sure those things don’t happen. I’ve had losses where I think I’m going to win, but I lose, and those are the hardest. If I think it’s going to be a tough fight though, and I go out and put on a good performance then I’m a little more OK with it. It depends on your performance really.
Examiner.com: Well Mike, I want to wrap this up and let you get out of here. Is there anyone you want to thank before I let you off the hook?
MB: Definitely. Thanks to Tapout, Bushmaster firearms, and check out mikethomasbrown.com
