STEVE SOLLOWAYJanuary 10, 2010

The stitches came out within days and the cuts over his eyes healed in another week or so. That part of Mike Brown’s recovery was easy. Soothing another hurt has been more difficult.

Brown lost his World Extreme Cagefighting featherweight title two months ago in Las Vegas to Jose Aldo. Younger by more than 10 years and quicker, Aldo took the fight to the mat in the second round. Brown couldn’t escape and couldn’t counter. After Brown took dozens of punches to the head, the referee stopped it.

It was Brown’s first defeat in 10 fights over the past four years. Older and almost anonymous, the Mainer beat popular Urijah Faber for the 145-pound title in 2008. He defended it twice, winning over skeptics. Then it was gone.

“Since I lost, I can’t enjoy life,” said Brown.” Every day I think about what happened, how it happened. I haven’t handled losing very well. I’ve got to win one.”

Brown fights today in Sacramento, Calif., walking into the cage with Anthony Morrison of Philadelphia. Another kid at age 25 compared to Brown’s 34. Another hungry fighter wanting to grab what Brown had. The two-month turnaround since the fight with Aldo is quick, but Brown wanted another fight.

Athletes in other sports are coached to put their last game, their last match, in their rear-view mirrors and move on. Brown is trying to do both.

Aldo didn’t break Brown. In an interview on sherdog.com in December, Brown said he took a knee to the face during sparring six days before he fought Aldo. The cut needed 18 stitches. Fights have been postponed for similar injuries.

Brown said he was nervous and tentative, but had made a commitment. That’s one reason he attracts fans. He can tease opponents in the interviews that hype the fight. He can trash talk, but the garbage rarely stinks. Afterward he’s quick to pay respect.

“(Aldo) is a good fighter. He punches hard. He was explosive,” said Brown the day before he left his home in Florida for California. “He’s the best, No. 1. But there are no undefeated (champions) in this sport. There are so many variables, so many quick ways to lose.”

Cagefighting in any of its variations is a brutal sport. Its intensity can punish. Brown worked at this for a long time before hitting the big time. He doesn’t ignore his body clock or the window of opportunity that is closing.

Brown signed a five-fight deal with the WEC that could carry him through 2011. “I’ve learned to train better, take care of myself. I protect my body.”

His voice was cordial, his words made their point and stopped. Days before the fight that will either ease his mind or not, he sounded edgy.

Brown’s record is 22-5. Morrison (15-7) is another hard puncher with a ground game, but at this level, who isn’t? This is a sport of controlled, naked aggression.

The Brown-Morrison bout is one of the five at the ARCO Arena. The featured fight is between Jamie Varner and Benson Henderson for the unified lightweight title. Faber, the former champ and hometown favorite, is also on the card, fighting Raphael Assuncao. Faber wants another fight for the championship. He may have to beat Brown to get it.

“The crowd booed me the last time I fought there (against Faber),” said Brown. “They know who I am. Hopefully I’ve earned a little respect out there.”

He’s the working-class fighter with the college degree in biology. The stand-up guy in the knockdown sport.

Staff Writer Steve Solloway can be contacted at 791-6412 or at:

ssolloway@pressherald.com