strong>FORMER WEC CHAMPION MIKE THOMAS BROWN BEATEN BUT NOT DEFEATED
“I want to come back as the best version of me…”
Press Release – Mike Thomas Brown underwent surgery last Wednesday to reattach a completely torn off medial collateral ligament in his left hand. The injury was sustained in the first round of his bout with Rani Yahya, which he took on only a few weeks notice at UFC “Fight for the Troops 2.”
Brown said, “I thought I must have broken my finger, and it stopped me from using my grip with my left hand. I couldn’t really grip any longer. I didn’t feel it through the end of the fight.”
Brown is a former WEC Featherweight Champion, twice defeating Urijah Faber before losing his title to current kingpin Jose Aldo. Although he had fought only weeks before “Fight for the Troops 2,” dropping a close decision to Diego Nunes at UFC 125, Brown took the short-notice fight anyway. He realized the great opportunity he had to fight in front of soldiers who risk their lives for America’s safety, and could not pass up the offer. He fought through the pain for a crowd that risks much more than just pain and injury on a daily basis.
“Anytime you get a chance to fight in the UFC, it’s an honor. But when you add the chance to compete in front of our troops who do so much for us, and then you couple that with my desire to get back into the cage quickly after my close loss to Diego…it was just too great of an opportunity to pass up.”
Brown is currently in a cast, and will endure a six-week recovery. However, he believes he will bounce back quickly from his injury, and is far from defeated. He plans to start rehabbing as soon as possible.
“I want to take some time off, step back, and come up with a new game plan, a new plan of attack. I want to come back as the best version of me later this year,” said Brown.
Through his tough time, Brown is very appreciative and thankful toward his fans for their support. He also expressed gratitude toward the UFC, saying, “I want to thank Dana White and Joe Silva for giving me the opportunity to compete here, and finish my career in the UFC.”