UFC: Mike Thomas Brown's Fall From Featherweight Champion

Mike Thomas Brown use to have it all.

On November 5, 2008, he had beaten big-time featherweight champ Urijah Faber for the title. Brown went on to defend his title successfully twice more, once against Leonard Garcia and once again versus Faber.

But then Brown faced his toughest opponent ever: current UFC featherweight champion, Jose Aldo. Since his TKO loss to Aldo, Brown has looked like a shell of his former self.

Brown is 2-3 since facing off against Aldo. He's suffered two losses in a row, including one to Rani Yahya at UFC Fight for the Troops 2.

Not to mention, his last two losses came within 21 days of each other.

The UFC isn't holding onto fighters this year. With the merger of the UFC and WEC, everyone is on the chopping block, including Brown.

Brown will have to wait as he recovers from hand surgery on an injury he suffered in the fight with Yahya. If the UFC is giving him another chance, it's most likely Brown's last stand.

Mike's return to the Octagon wasn't a good looking one. It was Brown's first UFC event since UFC 47 way back on April 2, 2004. It ended the same way for Brown, with a loss.

At least this time, he wasn't submitted, but got the fight to go to a decision.

It seems the surgery and time off are something Brown is very happy to have.

“I want to take some time off, step back, and come up with a new game plan, a new plan of attack. I want to come back as the best version of me later this year,” said Brown.

Brown will get one last shot in the UFC. UFC President Dana White and UFC matchmaker Joe Silva are sitting there, thinking of who to give to Brown.

Brown needs a redemption fight after his last two fights. He hasn't looked himself at all.

Mike most likely won't ever get another shot at the featherweight title. At age 35, it seems impossible for the one-time WEC featherweight champ.

One more shot for Brown. One more shot and a loss, well, that's going to do it for Brown—that will be the final nail in his coffin.

The UFC is really packed after the merger; some good fighters will be cut.

Brown, in his next fight, needs to win and win to keep his job.

After his loss to Yahya, no one seems to be a pushover to help Brown regain his former prowess.