Brown-Faber II set for June 7 in Sacramento

By Andy Samuelson

Tuesday, March 31, 2009 | noon

Mike Brown wants to prove his big right hand last fall was no fluke.

Former World Extreme Cagefighting featherweight champ Urijah “The California Kid” Faber has other plans, like gaining his 145-pound title back and avenging just the second setback of his career to Brown.

“I want my belt back,” said Faber (22-2), whose anticipated rematch with Brown is set for June 7 at Arco Arena in Sacramento, Calif.

“I had the belt for a long time and I’m eager to get some redemption. I think the biggest thing is I have to be a little more careful. The last time I got caught for being careless. I sort of live by the sword and die by the sword. He’s one of the best fighters in the world, so I need to be on my game and not his game and not make mistakes.”

Brown (21-4) sees things differently. He doesn’t think it was much of a mistake on Faber’s part, but rather him enforcing his will and game plan that led to the first-round TKO at WEC 36.

“I think with the Garcia fight I proved that I was no joke,” said Brown, who impressively submitted Leonard Garcia via a triangle choke less than two minutes into their bout at WEC 39 earlier this month.

“I’ve fought a long time and a lot of good guys. So it’s not a new thing that I’m fighting at this level. This is an important fight. He’s in a tough spot because if he loses, where does he go from there?”

Tickets for Brown vs. Faber II, which will air on VERSUS at 6 p.m. PT, go on sale Thursday, April 2 at 10 a.m. PT and may be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000 or www.ticketmaster.com. Or also available online through www.wec.tv or visiting the ARCO Arena Box Office.