New WEC Featherweight Champion Mike Brown set to defend his title against Leonard Garcia at WEC 39 in Corpus Christi, Texas
By: James Iannotti
New WEC featherweight champion Mike Thomas Brown (20-4), fresh off his stunning upset over company poster boy Urijah Faber at WEC 36 in November, will defend his title for the first time on March 1 against Leonard Garcia (12-3) in the co-main event of WEC 39 at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Brown’s first round technical knockout of “The California Kid” was his eighth win in a row. That streak includes notable unanimous decision wins over Yves Edwards at Bodog’s ‘Clash of the Nations” and Jeff Curran in his WEC debut last June. The American Top Team standout has really caught fire as of late and rocked the MMA world by taking a title from a featherweight that many experts believed to be unstoppable.
Brown is a monster 145 pounder with strong wrestling and submission skills to go along with his apparent one-punch knockout power. While all four of his losses have been by submission, the ground game may not come into play considering how often Garcia (despite his solid jiu-jitsu game) chooses to stand and bang.
“Bad Boy” made a name for himself at UFC 69 when he went back and forth for three rounds with Roger Huerta in a brawl that was awarded “Fight of the Year” by the promotion. Garcia lost the decision that night, but certainly left his mark as a scrappy and talented fighter.
Feeling a little too small to compete with the endlessly talented roster of fighters in the UFC’s lightweight division, he made the move to the Zuffa-owned WEC in order fight at his more natural weight of 145 pounds.
That decision to this point has worked out great for the Lubbock, Texas native. In his two fights under the WEC banner, he’s put down top ten fighters Hiroyuki Takaya at WEC 32 and Jens “Lil’ Evil” Pulver at WEC 36 - both by first round knockout.
Garcia has undoubtedly earned his spot as number one contender role and his shot at the division crown.
The main event of WEC 39 will be a rematch between welterweight champion Carlos “The Natural Born Killer” Condit (23-4) and Minnesota Martial Arts Academy product Brock Larson (24-2). The two first met in the cage at WEC 29 in August of 2007 with Condit retaining his title by first round submission. Larson has been lobbying for a rematch ever since and will finally get his chance at redemption on March 1.
Stay tuned to MMAmania.com for more updates on the developing fight card.
39 Comments »
If Leonard Garcia DOESN’T twist his nipples…I see it as a 2nd round TKO/KO for Mike Brown!
I really wanted to see Garcia vs. Faber but whatever! I am a big fan of Gracia’s and I hope he takes the title
You will after Garcia wins this and Faber pulverizes Jens again (pun intended)
Does Garcia train with Jackson? Either way, Garcia FTW! I don’t think he will be holding the belt for very long though. I have no doubt that Faber will get it back. He would have never lost it if he didn’t throw that cute little spinning elbow.
Yes BNF! Garcia is with Greg Jackson’s camp in New Mexico… I hear that Garcia is very good at jits although we rarely get to see it in his fights. Dont think MIke Brown can finish Garcia, which gives Leanord 25 minutes to knock Brown the F out!
I just hate wrestlers!
rogan and goldy were speakin very highly about his jits during the huerta fight. Of, course that fight ended up being a war and garcia’s conditioning caught him early. I think he had taken that fight on short notice, its been a while.
I like brown in this. I think he’s got enough power to be the first to put down Garcia. Only badass grapplers and J-Lau have caught Brown in a sub so am not too worried about the jits.
Leo’s Jits is top notch! He can roll w the best , he just hasnt used it yet..
Mike Brown by submission. Maybe even a unanimous decision. Should/could be a good fight.
And Mania, Huerta vs Guida was 2007 Fight of the Year. The Garcia fight was Fight of the Night, but didn’t even make it to the UFC: Best of 2007 DVD.
Speaking of which, when will the Best of 2008 come out?
this doesn’t have ANYTHING to do with this article, but I just watched Gegard Mousasi fight Damir Mirenic.. Talk about bad reffing.. The last few elbows were a bit behind the head (but by that time it didn’t really matter) and the ref let the guy take a beating.. lol. just thought I’d share.
Back to the WEC…
I got Brown as well, but by knockout (tko, an actual knockout rarely seems to happen) he is a huge 145 guy. I may make the trip to Corpus Christi to watch this. My birthday’s march 11th, and it should be an exciting fight.
My birthday is Jan. 31st. See, Dana’s always been a family friend, and this time, he was able to hook me up with two of my favorite fighters (T.Silva BJ) fighting on the same card for my birthday. Such a nicer guy..
Where do you live James?
I live in Oklahoma City. Its still quite a trip to get to Corpus Christi if I drive, but I could swing a cheap flight. I want to go to some live events. I’m really hoping the UFC comes through on an event in San Antonio this year. That’s were I got married and I really enjoy the Riverwalk area. I’m pretty certain I will never see a live big event in OKC.
OKC to Corpus is about 10 hours by car. I’d definitely look into flights for that one. Also, last time I was in Corpus there was no publc transport from the airport into the city, but that may have changed in the last 8 or 9 years.
Oh yeah it’s changed if any of yall come here let me know and I will set you up…..
Leonard “bad boy” garcia by tko. he’s a bad mothef*****!
im going with brown hes a little badass WAR BROWN
WAR GARCIA!
I see matt serra wins my submission
dude… what?
lol that was way out there.
That is a little off and Phil is usually on point, obvious mistake
Garcia has improved alot since the Huerta fight.
I have Garcia by decision
I don’t know that much about Brown, and Garcias victory over Pulver was impressive as well.
Going to be a tough call, but I’m going to say Garcia by RNC 2nd round after some exchanges and a scramble.
Garcia by 1st rd ko
I parlayed both Brown and Garcia for $10 and won $120 for the previous WEC (obviously wish I bet more), but since I can pick just one I’m going with Brown because of strength/wrestling advantage.
YES!! I LIVE IN CORPUS CHRISTI!! OMG YAY!!!
So do I!
Brown by dec
In between slangin rocks, Garcia is a good fighter. Brown is a bad dude, this will be a war.
Garcia KO in 1st
hell yeah! ill be there. larson vs condit2 and Mhicks vs razor rob are rumored for that event too
I’m hoping Garcia takes this one, setting up a match against the kid. That would be insane
Luke, if you are in Shanghai can you tell me where I can watch the fight or on what TV channel?… I’ll be in Shanghai during that weekend,
Mark
??????????????????the american bank center doesnt mention this fight on their website. it says it has a local hockey game for 03/01/09….????????????????????????
both garcia and faber win which gives you your next title fight…
brown should have given a rematch to faber, but he hopes to keep his belt, this is why he is fighting anyone but the guy he got with a lucky shot, go faber your belt will return to you
mike brown eres un gran peleador kisiera ser como tu o aprender d ti echale ganas no dejes q nada t detenga eres mi ejemplo a seguir yo no se pelar pero cuando t veo siento q puedo aprender q valgo un poco kiero esforsarme dia a dia para ulgundia pelar contigo o ser como tu tienes un gran potencial y lo has demostrado tu eres una persona fuerte pero tu t aras muy muy fuerte tu t combertiras en una persona muy fuerte espero y no muere mi idea d algundia conoserte en persona tengo mocho q platikar con tigo y aprender d ti vamos kuentas con migo y los demas echale ganas animos ojala no t olvides d mi…………….tu gran y mas grande persona q t admira
juan carlos….
p.d….nodejes q tus sueños se rompan sigue adelante q cada pelea t aga mas fuerte tienes talento