Mike Thomas Brown also known as MTB (born September 8, 1975 in Portland, Maine) is an American mixed martial arts fighter. He currently fights as a featherweight in the World Extreme Cage fighting organization where he holds the WEC Featherweight Championship. He is currently ranked the #1 featherweight fighters in the world by both Sherdog and MMA Weekly. Sherdog & Yahoo! Sports also ranks him as the #10 pound-for-pound fighter in the world.TCB MMA: What age did you start training in MMA / How did you get started?
MIKE BROWN: started training MMA in 95, i was 19 and had my first fight in 01. Just for fun never intending it to be a career.
TCB MMA: What would you say is your biggest strength?
MIKE BROWN: My punching power has to be my biggest strength.
TCB MMA: Is there any specific area of your game that you feel needs to be improved?
MIKE BROWN: It all needs improvement. I think every good fighter thinks that way.
TCB MMA: You’re on a 9-fight win streak at the moment and also hold the WEC Featherweight title. Do you feel that you’re at your peak right now?
MIKE BROWN: I'm training now better than i ever have
TCB MMA: You defeated UFC veteran Leonard Garcia in the first defence of your featherweight title at WEC 39, but prior to that fight you had stated that you didn’t feel like the champion, after such a dominant win do you now feel like the no.1 fighter in the division or do you feel that you need to beat Urijah Faber again in your re-match to silence the critics?
MIKE BROWN: i think i silenced many already. All my past accomplishments are not riding on this fight. i have already proven myself. I’m the #1 featherweight in the world.
TCB MMA: There have been rumours circulating that Norifumi 'Kid' Yamamoto could sign for the UFC in the future, would you have any interest in fighting him? If so, how do you feel you match up with 'Kid'?
MIKE BROWN: Yes I’d love to. At this point I just want big fights. Many people would like to see it so that’s what i want.
TCB MMA: If you could fight any featherweight in the world today who would you choose?
MIKE BROWN: Paul Fenton for sure.
TCB MMA: If you defeat Faber in your re-match, would you be prepared to go up in weight to 155 to try and avenge some of your losses to fighters such as Joe Lauzon and Hermes Franca?
MIKE BROWN: I just want big fights. I don’t really care about rematches unless that’s what the fans want. I want the fans to be interested. I’m not chasing anyone.
TCB MMA: Can you take us through a typical week of when you’re training for a fight?
MIKE BROWN: i train 6 days a week Twice on Monday and Tuesday. Once Wednesday, twice on Thursday and Friday. Then once Saturday. every day is at ATT coconut creed except Tuesday nights i go to West palm beach for Parrumpina's grappling classes.
TCB MMA: You currently train at American Top Team, a team that is home to a lot of top class fighters such as Gesias Calvancante, Thiago Alves, Dennis Kang & obviously yourself. Are there any other top prospects coming through at the moment that people might not be aware of yet?
MIKE BROWN: Many guys you've never heard of that are tough and others you may know that are about to blow up. Lorenzo borgomeo, micah miller, chris manuel. Bocek is awesome but he’s not coming up he’s already here.
TCB MMA: In your career thus far, who has proved to be the most difficult opponent stylistically for you? Also are there any fights that stand out where you learnt a lot?
MIKE BROWN: Imanari had the weirdest style. Very tricky, you throw a punch and he falls down and try’s to leg lock. Just very awkward, he is very good at what he does. I learned the most from the Yves fight. Yves Edwards is a guy who i looked up to for a long time. When I realized I could hang with him i know i could beat anyone.
TCB MMA: What do you like to do when you are not training or fighting?
MIKE BROWN: hanging with my friends. like to have a few beers an laugh and make fun of my buddies
TCB MMA: With all the recent debate of who's the no.1 P4P MMA fighter today, who in your opinion deserves that title?
MIKE BROWN: Fedor. Of all the champs he has the cleanest record and he has fought almost all the top heavyweights. (except now brock and mir)
TCB MMA: Are there any other fighters that you like to watch? (besides yourself)
MIKE BROWN: JZ Calvan, Genki Sudo, Thiago Alves, Benji Radach, Brad Pickett
TCB MMA: What has been the highlight of your MMA career to date?
MIKE BROWN: WEC title
TCB MMA: Is there anything you'd like to say to your fans in the UK / any sponsors you'd like to thank?
MIKE BROWN: Thanks to Tapout, Champion Nutrition, and American Top Team. Thanks Jenni, Clarence, Paul, Chris brooks, levy, Comeau, and all my friends who backed me when times were tough.
