On a wacky night of WEC action in Hollywood, Florida it had to happen this way. Riding a 13-fight win streak, Urijah Faber got sloppy and paid the price. Faber tried to deliver a silly back elbow from long distance. Mike Brown countered below the elbow with a right hand that nearly lifted Faber off the canvas. 'The California Kid' went down in a heap with 2:54 left in the first round and immediately went into the turtle position. Brown jumped on top and landed most of the 29 punches and hammerfists that he threw. The 24th blow thrown by Brown actually snapped Faber's head back. Referee Troy Waugh jumped in stopping the fight seconds later at 2:23 of the first. Brown handed Faber his first loss since 2005 and gained the WEC Featherweight belt.   

"I don't have a lot of knockouts on my record," said an excited Brown."But I (expletive) hit hard."

During some early clinches, Brown (20-4) stymied Faber with his strength. Then Brown got Faber to lose his cool when placed his hands in his face and tossed the shorter fighter to the ground. Faber got up with an angry look and puts his hands to his side. Seconds later Brown again tossed Faber into the cage and that's when he made the fatal mistake with the sloppy elbow attempt.  

With Faber (21-2) carrying the promotion the last few years, it's likely that we'll see an immediate rematch. It won't be easy to get his title. This was no fluke. Brown definitely belonged in the cage with Faber.

"I train with the best team in the world. We have so much depth. So many great guys," said Brown, a 32-year old native of Maine. "All I gotta do is perform like I do in training everyday and I know I can beat anyone in the world."

In the co-main event, a disinterested Paulo Filho was knocked from the unbeaten ranks by Chael Sonnen. Jen Pulver suffered a devastating TKO loss at the hands of Leonard Garcia.

Photo via Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel