Retirement Could Come Soon for Mike Brown, But He’s Still Having Fun

At this point, Brown is taking it one fight at a time, and next up is a bout against Daniel Pineda on May 26 at UFC 146. He discussed that matchup, retirement and more during an interview with the Sherdog Radio Network’s “Savage Dog Show.”

Brown on his career status: “I’m a little older now and, I think, a little wiser. I’m just trying to have fun with the sport and not put too much pressure on myself. I’m starting to get to that point where if I don’t love it, why do it? I’m trying to [have] fun with it and have a good time. … It seems to make me actually train better.”

On whether he thought he might get cut if he’d lost to Nam Phan in his last bout: “It was in the back of my mind, but honestly, I didn’t care. If I had lost another one, I would have been pretty down and would have actually probably thought maybe it’s time to go anyway. … I think it would have been time for me to move on to other stuff. I don’t want to dig myself out of that hole for a couple of years and get back in the UFC and then take another couple more years trying to get the title. It was there, but I’m not thinking like that anymore. I’m just enjoying it. If I’m not in the UFC, it’s just time for me to move on. I’m 36 and I don’t think like that anymore. Even if I lose another one now, it might be time for me to hang them up and do other things, start coaching and be involved with the sport in some other way.”

On his compensation as a fighter: “My money’s good. I’m happy with my pay. I’ve been in the organization for a while, in the WEC. Each time you win, your paycheck goes up. Obviously I’m making the most money I’ve ever made. I’m making more in the UFC than I would be doing any other job. I’m happy with that.”

On whether he feels he didn’t get the credit he deserves: “I feel it a little bit. Part of it is I peaked like a year and a half too early, I think. Had I been the UFC champ a year and a half later, it would have been a little more recognized and it would have been a bigger part of history and I probably would have financially benefited a little more, but I’m content with what I did. When I started, I didn’t intend for all of this to happen. I was a hobbyist. I didn’t anticipate being the number one guy in the world or this and that. I’m really happy that I reached as far as I did and I’m still involved with the greatest show on the planet. But yeah, I didn’t get as much credit as I could have, being on top. I held the title for a year, but if I could have done a couple more, it would have been nice.”

On Pineda: “This kid’s tough. I’ve been watching some tapes. He comes strong and hard. Reminds me of myself a little bit. Throws a lot of overhand rights and throws with bad intentions, and he goes for a lot of submissions. It’s going to be a good one.”

On whether he could make another title run: “I would like to get a three-fight win streak and then reassess things and then look to see where we can go with that. I [won] one; so I need to win two more, and then I’m in a position to really start thinking about making moves. I can’t think about beating some top-10 guy or top-tier guy or getting a chance for the title where I’m at now. It’s always you need to win a string first and do it that way.”

Listen to the full interview (beginning at 1:14:34).