Matt Brown targets Nick or Nate Diaz, rematches after UFC Vegas 29 win
UFC welterweight Matt Brown can’t say how much longer his MMA career is going to last after his latest knockout win. But given the result, it’s hard not to push the date back a bit.
“I definitely don’t have a lot of fights left,” Brown said after stopping Dhiego Lima on Saturday at UFC Vegas 29. “I shouldn’t say definitely, because when I go out there and fight like that, all the skills I’ve been developing over how many years I’ve been in the UFC now, I feel like my performance was more calculated and smarter.
“I feel like I could do a lot of really big things, and it’s more just a matter of life. Life gets in the way.”
With a family and day jobs as a purveyor of coffee and trainer of fighters, Brown has other interests that take his time and attention. He’s spoken about the end of his career on several occasions. But immediately after stopping Lima, he declared to the camera, “How’s that for 40, b*tch?”
“That’s how I feel,” Brown said at the post-fight press conference at UFC APEX in Las Vegas. “I think a lot of people write me off because of my age.”
Brown is now tied at 12 with Vitor Belfort and Derrick Lewis for the most knockouts in UFC history. Asked about his next step, he centered in on a few options.
One in particular was Demian Maia, who submitted him in their first meeting in 2016. Maia’s MMA career is in limbo after UFC President Dana White said a loss to Belal Muhammad at UFC 263 earlier this month likely marked his last appearance in the UFC. But Brown hopes Maia gets one last shot.
“I’d love for it to be Demian’s retirement match,” Brown said. “I know he’s looking for a retirement match, and out of respect for him because he’s a true legend. He’s the worst matchup in the division for me, and I like that challenge. I’m more up for it now than I was before.”
And Brown would definitely be up for a fight with Nate or Nick Diaz, who like him share in a love of violence when they step into the cage and are beloved by fans because of it.
“That’s one of them fights like, if I took it, it wouldn’t be because I dislike the Diazes or anything,” he said. “I would take it because it’s a big fight, and I respect them.”
Every win Brown takes home these days is cause for celebration. But this one was unique because it came in a completely unexpected fashion.
That pretty much sums up much of Brown’s career, and he’s enjoying every moment.
“Actually, it reminded me of when I fought Diego Sanchez, and he was out and I didn’t even know I landed it,” Brown said. “Like, is the fight over? ... I didn’t know where he went. I hit him, and I was like, ‘Where’s he at?’”
Check out Brown’s full press conference below, courtesy of MMA Weekly.