“My dad has been incarcerated since I was three years old, and he’s never been able to watch any of my fights,” Brown said. “(He is) over in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. What was cool is that every time I fight, they can listen, they leave the TV on and the whole cell block can hear it. Whenever I win they all kick the door in celebration so that’s kind of cool. This time they’re letting everyone out and they’re having a late night so they can watch. I’m happy and I’m proud of that.”
Brown does have plenty to be happy and proud about. Five years into his UFC career, the welterweight has earned wins in six of his last nine fights, with his latest victory coming against Alex Oliveira. He won in outstanding fashion, submitting the veteran via rear naked choke at 2:50 of the first round.
RELATED: View Brown’s Athlete Profile
The win was important for Brown to show his continued growth after he suffered a knockout loss to Vicente Luque.
“I’m here to be great, I’m not just here to be another number, so every fight means a lot,” Brown said. “Every time I go out there, I’m going to have my heart on my sleeve, my emotions on my sleeve, my training on my sleeve and I’m going to put it all out there for the world to see.”
He’ll put it all out there once again this weekend at UFC Fight Night: Dern vs Rodriguez when he faces Jared Gooden. When they step into the Octagon, Brown will have a three-inch height advantage, as well as a longer leg reach.
Gooden makes his fourth walk to the Octagon on Saturday after securing his first win in the Octagon back in July. The two competitors share a combined 14 wins by knockout and 11 victories by submission.
MORE: Rise of Mackenzie Dern | Fighters On The Rise | Marina Rodriguez Pushes Forward | Dern Photo Gallery | Loopy Godinez As Tough As They Come | Tim Elliott Ready For The Charge
Brown’s approach and mindset stays the same as he heads into a fight. It doesn’t matter who he is facing.
“Everyone’s dangerous,” Brown said. “To get to this level, everyone put in a good amount of work. They’re skilled. I’m sure he is a champion, elsewhere, in a different promotion. We’re all champions that were just pulled into the UFC. With him, it’s the same approach. I’m treating it as if I am getting ready to fight the champion.”
The 31-year-old isn’t far from making a crack into the Top 15, a position he isn’t unfamiliar with. When he looks at the next steps of his career, he envisions himself making that run.
“Goals for 2022 are making a crack at that Top 15 again,” Brown said. “I had an opportunity one time, I fell short. Next time, I promise I will not fall short. Breaking into the Top 15 means a lot to me. Next year is going to be a big year and this fight, right here, is going to be a big step.”
Preview Saturday’s Card Fight By Fight
For Brown, a win on Saturday puts him one step closer to accomplishing his dreams and securing another chapter in the legacy he is creating. The New Yorker will step into the Octagon knowing that his biggest supporter is watching from afar.
It will surely be a moment both Brown and his father will never forget, and a win will only make it sweeter.
Don’t miss an action-packed card this weekend at UFC Fight Night: Dern vs Rodriguez, live from the UFC APEX on ESPN+. Prelims begin at 1:30pm ET/10:30am PT. Main card begins at 4pm ET/1pm PT.
