Defending the WEC featherweight crown, Mike Brown needed five rounds to remain champion against the former featherweight king Urijah Faber, and spoke with TATAME.com after the fight. Set to fight José Aldo in November, the American fighter commented the upcoming bout, expecting a tough fight. “I know it’s gonna be a fuckin’ war, I know that”, said Brown, in the interview below.

When and how you started training to fight MMA?

I watched UFC in 1993, 1994, and I started training one year later. I did a little bit of Jiu-Jitsu and I was a big fan, I loved the sport and had my first fight in 2001.

Were you inspired by Royce Gracie’s victories?

Yeah, of course… It was amazing. I saw Royce and I thought ‘man, I want to move to Brazil and learn this stuff’.

Did you ever come to Brazil?

I went one time, in 2003, and trained for one week. I was fun. Where did you train here? I trained at BTT, a couple days, and Ruas Vale Tudo.

When you started fighting, back in 2001, you imagined you’d be one day the champion in a big event like WEC?

No way, no way… I’ve never expected this. At that time, there was no title for 145 pounders, and I did it just for fun, because I was a fan and loved the sport, I just wanted to say I did it.

When you started at WEC, you faced Urijah Faber, who was considered one of the best pound for pound fighters of the world. Do you think he underestimated you?

No, I don’t think so. He knew me, he knew what I was capable of. I talked to him many times… When I fought in the UFC, in 2004, he was in the backstages and talked to me, he was just starting.

In the second fight between you, you did a 25 minutes war against him. How did you felt about this victory?

I was really happy with it, you know? It was the first time I went five rounds, it was good, another great experience to my career and now I know, I’m confident I can go five rounds. I never lost a decision, so if it goes to the distance I’m gonna win.

Did you realize, during the fight, that he had a broken hand?

I thought he had hurt his hand, but I didn’t knew which one, ‘cause my corner told me he broke his right hand, but actually he broke his left hand. I knew he was hurt, but I couldn’t tell exactly what was hurt… I was confused.

I saw an interview with you where you said that you’d like to face José Aldo in your next title defense, and now you’ll face him in November. How do you think this fight will be?

I wanted the fight with Aldo because he’s the most exciting and he best fighter in the WEC, everyone knows him and he’s knocking everybody out, so that’s what the fans want. I just want big fights. I expect a very tough fight and I don’t think it’ll go on five rounds.

Do you think this fight will play more standing or in the ground?

I’m not really sure… I know it’s gonna be a fuckin’ war, I know that.

I spoke with Conan Silveira and he bet you’d beat Aldo or Wagnney Fabiano, whoever comes first to fight you. What’s the importance of having a camp like ATT helping you for the fights?

American Top Team is everything to me. They got me where I am today, we have so many fighters, especially lightweights, and I know nobody has the partners I do, nobody goes to the war I go everyday during the trainings. We don’t play around, we try to hurt each other everyday in training, so I’m confidence against everyone in the world.

How did you entered to ATT?

I was fighting in AFC, here in Florida, and I talked to Ricardo Libório and he said ‘if you want to come train, just buy a plane ticket’. And I bought a plane ticket and the rest is history.

You used to fight as a lightweight, right?

A little bit… I was always a featherweight, but I fought as a lightweight because it was more money and better opportunities.

Do you plan coming back to lightweight and fight in the UFC?

Yes, I will, because the money is better. I’m a better featherweight, but I want big fights… Lightweight has bigger fights and more money, I just want the most for my career.

How do you think would be a fight between you and BJ?

It’d be a very hard fight, but I just come out, go crazy…

Talking about your life outside the octagon, how your family support you in fighting?

I don’t have a big family. I have a circle or best friends, who I grew up with, and they believed me and I love them very much. I have my girlfriend, who support me very much, and I got a dog, that’s it, That’s my family.

Send a message to your Brazilian fans.

I love Brazil, I think Brazil gave us Mixed Martial Arts and Vale Tudo, so I wanna thank everyone in Brazil for bringing the greatest sport in the world.