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When Matt Brown Was Attacked By Fans On The Way To The Octagon

When Matt Brown Was Attacked By Fans On The Way To The Octagon

The UFC star hasn't fought in two years but returns to the octagon next month, hoping to avoid the scenes from Brazil in 2016.

Ryan Sidle

Ryan Sidle

Most people would be smart enough not to try and hit a UFC fighter, especially one on the way to a fight, but back in 2016 three members of a Brazilian crowd hit Matt Brown on his way to fight Demian Maia.

In May 2016 at UFC 198 there was a pumped up crowd for Brown vs Maia, with the crowd desperate to see home fighter Maia come away with a victory after the American had sworn at the audience during the weigh in on the Friday.

As Brown walked to the octagon three members of the crowd threw punches with the welterweight eventually firing back at the third attacker.

Ahead of the fight Brown described the fight with Maia as 'the worst match up for me' and so it proved with the Brazilian tapping out his opponent in the third round with a rear-naked choke hold.

After the fight the victor called for a title shot, saying, "He was trained to protect his neck; he did a good job. I will improve that. Now, I hope my next fight is for the belt."

It took two more fights, including a win over Jorge Masvidal, for him to get a title shot against Tyrone Woodley but that didn't go well for him.

Maia ahead of his fight with Colby Covington in 2017. Image: PA Images
Maia ahead of his fight with Colby Covington in 2017. Image: PA Images

It is Brown who will next be in action in the octagon though. After losing to Maia the American lost his next two fights too before beating Diego Sanchez in November 2017.

The 38-year-old was due to fight in April 2018 but pulled out with an ACL injury which he was recovering from for a year.

He is due to fight Ben Saunders on December 14th at UFC 245 on the undercard of the welterweight title fight between Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington.

The welterweight title fight could be explosive. Image: PA Images
The welterweight title fight could be explosive. Image: PA Images

Speaking earlier this month Nigerian claimed he was 'more American' than his Donald Trump supporting rival, saying, "This country is built off of immigrants, so when did we get to the point where it's like we need to divide, we need to push this immigrant out, or that immigrant, or separate, and so I feel like that's what he's pushing.

"That's what he's trying to say, and I need to let him know that I am more American than he is. I am absolutely more American than he is."

"I'm an immigrant who came here, worked his tail off to get to where I am."

Will Covington win the title?

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Topics: UFC News, MMA News, UFC 245, UFC, MMA