Mike Brown vs. Urijah Faber Preview

In the push towards WEC 41 Zuffa promos have all but abandoned the rest of the card in favor of focusing on the main event calling it the "biggest fight ever." An ironic tagline since both fighters are 5'6" and 145 pounds.

Urijah Faber once held the WEC  featherweight belt and it was a forgone conclusion that every challenger would soon grovel beneath the WEC poster boy. Then Mike Brown happened.

In their title fight at WEC 36 Brown proved the stronger fighter effortless throwing off Faber from the clinch. At that moment viewers instantly knew Brown was not some vassal who had come to bow at the throne, but rather a conquering usurper ready to claim the crown for himself.

After that moment Faber was almost taken aback, shocked at the prowess of the challenger. In this moment Faber decided to go with  unorthodoxy, throwing an odd backwards elbow. It missed and instead Mike Brown connected with a right that knocked the champion down. (Watch the fight here)

It was as if Caesar had come to claim Rome from Pompey.

Now, six months later, Pompey has returned with a vengeance.

Instead of fighting at Pharsalus Brown and Faber will be meeting in the challenger's hometown of Sacramento.

The critical question being asked is whether Faber was over confident in their last bout. That in fact Urijah's hubris caused his defeat and now that he is focused Brown will have no hope of victory. Brown is even the current underdog showing that the bookmakers certainly believe this to be true.

Besides being the number one ranked featherweight in the world and WEC champion, Brown holds a record of 21-4. All four of his losses come via submission.

Those losses may indicate an Achilles heel in Brown's game. Yet his most recent loss was in 2005. Besides Faber is not known for possessing top-level Jiu-Jitsu.

Can Urijah handle a stronger opponent who posses superb striking?
Or will Faber show why he has only lost twice in his career --the second being to UFC lightweight Tyson Griffin-- and retake his rightful place on the throne?

Tune in this Sunday to find out.

WEC 41: Brown vs Faber II coverage