Canada, Coaches, and Couches...Training Camp Begins

(Editor’s Note: WEC Featherweight Champion Mike Brown will be periodically blogging his training camp adventures as he prepares to defend the title against Urijah Faber on June 7 at ARCO Arena.)

By Mike Brown

I just returned from Montreal for UFC 97 and I have to say that the fans there are awesome. Canada was just really cool. There are a lot of good MMA fans and they really love the sport. The way they packed the Bell Centre for UFC 97 was amazing.

Speaking of 97, I was heartbroken to see Chuck Liddell lose. I am a longtime Liddell fan. Plus, I’m 33, so I’m always rooting for the older guy. Unfortunately, Chuck is not the fighter he once was. But he had a nice, long run as the sport’s best fighter and champion. He should be proud of that. He played a huge role in making MMA what it is today.

The Silva-Leites fight was boring to me. Neither guy wanted to engage in the other’s game. Leites should have tried to brawl when he had the opportunity. He was losing either way, so he should have taken the risk. Title shots are few and far between, so I’m surprised he didn’t throw more punches. Anderson had some chances too, but he didn’t want to go to the ground. He definitely could have pounded Thales out, but he chose to keep it standing.

Other than the fights, Montreal was really good to me. I did a photo shoot with Ultimate MMA magazine which was a lot of fun. It turned into a fashion shoot so that was interesting. I never thought I’d be doing poses for magazines when I first started in this sport. I just have to laugh at the thought of myself as a model.

I also did a media luncheon with some of the top reporters and that went very well. I love how things are unfolding. It’s really cool that people are interested in not just me, but the WEC. It’s fun to be on top right now. It makes me that much more excited to fight Urijah again.

I’m back in Florida now and training hard in Coconut Creek. I’m with American Top Team training twice a day and getting some really good work in. My main partner is (former UFC lightweight) Yves Edwards and he pushes me really hard. I’m also working with JZ Cavalcante a lot because he’s well-rounded. He’s preparing for a big fight with K-1, so he and I are helping each other in the gym. Other than that, I’m excited to work with Alexis Vila, who won a Bronze medal in freestyle wrestling in the 1996 Summer Olympics. Between him, Yves, and JZ, I have a team of guys who can really help me prepare for Urijah. Urijah is a really quick guy and a good wrestler, so I’m fortunate to have partners who can help me get ready for that.

I’m heading off to do some couch shopping now. I’ve decided that I need a love seat for my office. It definitely has to have a pull-out bed though. I’ve got so many guys coming down here to train that I need extra space for people to sleep. Just over a month away from fight night, even the weary need rest. I’ll catch up with you guys soon.