Brownie: "Hardcore fight fans know what I'm capable of doing; but, some people don't know anything beyond 'The Ultimate Fighter'."

Fighters.com caught up with WEC featherweight title challenger Mike Thomas Brown  (19-4) on the horizon of the most important fight of his career in Sunrise, north of Miami, 5 November.

Fighters.com: On November fifth you’re facing “California Kid” Urijah Faber (21-0) for the WEC featherweight title.  Some analysts have labeled Faber the best MMA featherweight in history.  Does facing a popular fighter like Faber bring intimidation or do you find motivation in the potential dethroning of a champion during the peak of his career?

Mike Thomas Brown:  I love being the underdog.  I have nothing to lose and everything to gain.  Urijah is a very tough guy; but, I train with tons of tough guys.  It’s just another day at the office.

Fighters.com: Would you say that the approaching title bout is the most important fight of your life?

Mike Thomas Brown:  Every fight is important because each fight aligns you with the next.  This is for the WEC featherweight title, the most prestigious title for those in the 145-pound division.  The guy who holds that title is number one in the world.  This is my goal.  It’s the final piece of that puzzle.  It’s been a long, long journey.

Fighters.com: It must have been a real letdown to have the title fight rescheduled back in September due to Hurricane Ike.

Mike Thomas Brown:  I was crushed.  I poured everything into it.  I live down here in South Florida so I was here and ready to fight.

Fighters.com: How has the rescheduling affected you mentally?  Has the extra time provided you additional determination?

Mike Thomas Brown:  It is what it is.  It’s almost like training for an entirely new fight, but there is no extra determination.  This was already the biggest fight of my life.

Fighters.com:  You’re currently on a winning streak numbering seven fights and spanning nearly three years with the bulk of your only losses coming early in your career against big names such as “Neo-Samurai” Genki Sudo (15-5-1), Hermes Franca (18-7), and “J-Lau” Joe Lauzon (17-4).  What do you say to those critics who possibly do not see you as top contender alongside these fighters you lost to many years earlier?

Mike Thomas Brown:  I’m one of those guys that have kind of slipped through the cracks.  I just haven’t had the big media push like other guys.  I think the majority of people’s opinions are molded by the media.  Most of my fights haven’t been televised.  I just haven’t had that media push.  Hardcore fight fans know what I’m capable of doing; but, some people don’t know anything beyond The Ultimate Fighter television show.

Fighters.com:  Both you and Urijah share recent wins over “Big Frog” Jeff Curran (29-10-1).  Yours by decision; Faber’s by submission.  Do the recent and mutual fights against Curran provide any insight for you when preparing for Faber?

Mike Thomas Brown: Its hard to make comparisons in the fight.  Every fight is different and who knows.

Fighters.com: Some insiders are saying that Urijah has the edge over you in wrestling; whereas, others have stated that you are sneaking in under the radar with an edge in power and natural strength.  What do you say to such opinions?

Mike Thomas Brown: Uriah is a great fighter; but ,I honestly think I’ll be the stronger fighter in this fight.

Fighters.com: Of course, there are those who also say that you may bring more aggression in the fight as well.  Is this an accurate assessment?

Mike Thomas Brown: Well, I have nothing to lose and I’m a big underdog; and, so, it’s easy to throw caution to the wind and get wild.

Fighters.com: Do you train sometimes with veterans such as “Snowman” Jeff Monson (26-8) at American Top Team?

Mike Thomas Brown: I am a featherweight, so I actually don’t train much with any of the heavyweights here at American Top Team.  We have about twenty world class fighters around my same weight.

Fighters.com: Speaking of Monson, most MMA fans recall the prank video he put up on Youtube.com calling out “Kimbo Slice” Kevin Ferguson (3-1).  Then, of course, you put up a video a few days later calling Jeff out.  What’s the inside story behind these hilarious videos?

Mike Thomas Brown:  (laughing)  The “Munson” video was funny.   Here at American Top Team we are always busting balls and making fun of everyone and everything.  So, I came in one day; and, we were out back watching the Monson video and we thought it would be funny if I were to retaliate and call out Monson. It was pretty funny.

Fighters.com: What did you think about the recent devastation of Kimbo Slice at the hands of a fellow American Top Team fighter, “Silverback” Seth Petruzelli (10-4)?

Mike Thomas Brown: I kind of thought it was going to happen.  I just thought it was going to happen on the ground.  Kimbo has some decent boxing; so, I figured he would be okay there.