UFC Event

UFC 133 Fight Card Primer: Mike Brown vs. Nam Phan

By Tim Burke@TB_Money Aug 6, 2011, 12:30pm EDT

Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Mike Brown (24-8, 0-3 UFC) will likely be fighting to keep his job in the UFC when he takes on TUF veteran Nam Phan (16-8, 0-1 UFC). This featherweight UFC 133 fight will take place on the preliminary portion of the card, which will be streamed live on Facebook. The Facebook stream begins at 5:45 p.m. ET/2:45 p.m. PT.

How do these two stack up?

Brown: 35 years old | 5'6" | 70" reach
Phan: 28 years old | 5'6" | 69" reach

What have these two done recently?

Brown: L - Rani Yahya (UD) | L - Diego Nunes (SD) | W - Cole Province (TKO)
Phan: L - Leonard Garcia (SD) | W- Rodney Rhoden (SUB) | L - Isaac DeJesus (TKO)

How did these two get here?

Mike Thomas Brown was riding high in the WEC just two short years ago. After defeating Urijah Faber for the WEC featherweight title at WEC 36, he successfully defended the belt twice. First he decimated Leonard Garcia, then defeated Faber in a rematch. Things were great until he met a buzzsaw named Jose Aldo at WEC 44 in November 2009. Unfortunately for MTB, it's been all downhill ever since. He's fought some injuries and gone just 2-3 since then, including two straight losses in the UFC. This fight is a must-win for Brown, who talked of contemplating retirement recently.

UFC 133: Interviews | Results | Fight Card

Nam Phan has been a professional MMA fighter for over 10 years, and has fought for a variety of organizations including the WEC, K-1, Sengoku, and Strikeforce. He was a contestant on The Ultimate Fighter 12, losing a close split-decision to eventual runner-up Michael Johnson in the semi-finals. He made his official UFC debut at the TUF 12 Finale against Leonard Garcia, and dropped an extremely controversial split-decision. Most observers, including Dana White, felt that Phan won the fight rather easily. He was expected to rematch Garcia at UFC Fight Night 24, but was forced out with an injury. A win over Brown is vital to his future in the division.

Why should you care?

Mike Brown will be fighting to save his career, and the "back against the wall" storyline usually leads to excitement (see Ortiz, Tito). Phan is usually pretty entertaining as well, and this should be a good style clash.