Since 2003 it's been a challenge to find new and creative ways to keep busy during baseball's offseason. Of course there's all that Hot Stove chatter and "sources familiar with the situation" scattered across the four corners of the earth, plus my inevitable presence at a press conference announcing the Yankees' next A-list acquisition (Roy Halladay? John Lackey?)
Covering Mixed Martial Arts for MMAJunkie.com, FightMagazine.com and TapouT/MMA Worldwide magazine has more than helped fill the void. In fact it's been a blast. The next issue of MMA Worldwide has my debut feature on Frankie Edgar, who on December 5 at the Ultimate Finale will take on Matt Veach (an injury replacement for Kurt Pellegrino), on newsstands real soon. Karo Parysian, fighting Dustin Hazelett at UFC 106, provided me a very candid, enlightening and forthcoming interview that will run on Fight next week.
Before I get to tomorrow and UFC 105, Mike Thomas Brown will make his third defense of the WEC Featherweight title Wednesday against the electric Jose Aldo at WEC 44. I haven't seen the odds yet, but my guess is there are those who still refuse to believe Brown is for real. Even Brown himself didn't consider himself a legit champion until he blasted Leonard Garcia in Round 1 of his first defense. His defeat of Urijah Faber in their rematch was enough to eliminate any trace of doubt from where I sit.
At 18-1, Aldo is an amazing talent who in his last fight destroyed Cub Swanson in eight seconds prior to Brown-Faber 2. He's also a guy whose aggressiveness may end up hurting him against Brown, a veteran who knows how to turn an opponent's strength into his downfall.
“Aldo is probably more technical, throws more punches and combinations, better knees and better kicks," Brown told me during an interview for another TapouT/MMA Worldwide feature. "But Leonard is probably a harder puncher; he swings hard and tries to kill you with every shot.
“Aldo is a little more finesse, but the game plan is similar – try and swing and crack him, put him down. If I hurt him I hurt him. If I don’t, I don’t. If that doesn’t work, take him down and try to submit him.”
Brown's best quality is his modesty and integrity. The way he continues to live his life - answering the phone at his home base of American Top Team, driving the same beat-up old car, and how he conducts himself with the highest amount of integrity - makes him a champion win or lose. Sometimes, in fact, Brown needs to be reminded that he's a recognized world champ.
“Sometimes fighters get to a high place and they forget all the hard work – and they forget that they deserve it,” said Howard Davis Jr., a 1976 Olympic Gold medalist who helps Brown with his striking game at ATT. “There’s a little guilt in them. I remind him every day he’s champ and that he deserves it.
“Mike hasn’t changed himself one bit. I asked him, 'Did you know you’re the WEC Featherweight champion? That put a huge smile on his face. [He told me] 'You know something you’re right coach. I am champion of the world.'”
As for UFC 105, I've picked against Vera twice and been wrong twice. The third time will be a charm: Couture takes a bout that goes the distance. Mike Swick proves he's ready for a shot at Georges St. Pierre by taking out Dan Hardy (TKO-2). Michael Bisping-Denis Kang is a tough call. This will depends if Bisping is physically and emotionally recovered from Dan Henderson's one-punch knockout at UFC 100. Emotion plays a big part in MMA, and Bisping will draw off the support of his home country by taking a decision.
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