Sherdog’s Top 10: Late Bloomers

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7. Mike Thomas Brown

Brown made his Ultimate Fighting Championship debut against Genki Sudo at UFC 47 in 2004, losing by submission in the first round. It was not until 2011 -- and 15 wins later -- that Brown next set foot inside the Octagon.

On Brown’s road back to the UFC, he faced top competition that included Joe Lauzon, Yves Edwards and Leonard Garcia. He also beat World Extreme Cagefighting golden boy Urijah Faber for the promotion’s featherweight strap and then successfully defended the belt in his rematch against “The California Kid” before finally dropping the title to Jose Aldo. Injuries hampered Brown throughout his career, but he overcame a particularly nasty dislocation against Masakazu Imanari in 2005 that might have prematurely ended many a mixed martial artist’s career. Brown’s second tenure with the UFC was a result of the company absorbing the WEC, but UFC President Dana White would have come knocking sooner rather than later had the promotions remained separate.

There was a point when Brown was widely considered the best 145-pound fighter in the world. However, after 13 years and 35 professional fights, all signs point to Brown continuing to coach at American Top Team in Florida and letting his prior accomplishments define his legacy in the sport.

Number 6 » Kenny Florian