Dana White finds Randy “Rudeboy” Brown

On January 2nd, the UFC welcomed in 2016 with its UFC 195 pay-per-view event, pitting Welterweight champion Robbie Lawler against a somewhat curious choice of a challenger in the resurgent Carlos Condit. Choice of oppnent aside, the two combatants did not disappoint, as they provided an instant classic as Lawler nabbed a much-debated split decision. However, Robbie Lawler will not be the only UFC Welterweight kicking off 2016 with a bang. During the UFC 195 broadcast, the UFC announced the upcoming episode of Dana White‘s web series “Looking For a Fight” which features the signing of New York Welterweight prospect Randy “Rude Boy” Brown. As seen on the episode, White spotted Brown during the filming of Looking For A Fight at a Ring of Combat event in Atlantic City. Ring of Combat promoter Lou Neglia had previously reported that Brown, age 25, had been signed by the UFC following a knockout victory over Robert Plotkin at ROC 53 on November 20, 2015. “Rude Boy” will make his UFC debut on January 30 on the “UFC on Fox 18” card, to be held in Newark, NJ, where he will take on Matt Dwyer (8-3 MMA, 1-2 UFC).

Followers of the New York and New Jersey MMA scene have predicted Brown’s eventual signing with the UFC for some time now, as the talented Welterweight was a known prospect and reigning ROC Welterweight champion. He holds a 6-0 professional MMA record, and none of his opponents have made it out of the second round. After turning pro in 2014, Brown earned a ROC title shot in just his third pro fight, having been the only fighter besides Chris Weidman to receive such an opportunity so early in his pro career. In that fight Brown defeated a very game Mike Winters by second round TKO, and has defended the title ever since.

Randy Brown, who was born in the United States but grew up in Jamaica before coming to Queens, NY as a teenager, first became interested in MMA after seeing a UFC title fight between BJ Penn and Joe Stevenson. He came to the sport with a boxing background, having trained in the “sweet science” since his youth. Brown began his grappling training immediately at the famed Renzo Gracie Academy in New York City (where he still trains frequently today), taking quickly to the “Arte Suave.”

It was through connections he made there, that “Rude Boy” met his future trainer Sensei Nardu Debrah, an experienced pro fighter and longtime Renzo Gracie black belt, and head instructor at the Budokan Martial Arts academy, a Renzo Gracie affiliate school in Lynbrook, NY. Living in western Queens at the time, Brown embarked on his amateur MMA career based out of the Budokan, under Debrah’s tutelage, while continuing to split his time by training and sparring at the Renzo Gracie academy, Long Island MMA, and Bellmore Kickboxing. What followed was a successful amateur career where Brown earned multiple regional titles, losing only twice by contentious decisions. Brown’s success on the amateur scene marked him as a well-regarded pro prospect, and the Team Budokan representative clearly has not looked back since.
Randy Brown‘s fighting style is best described as a mix of patient but potent technical striking and aggressive submission attacks. Opponents throughout his pro and amateur fights have tended to test the waters on the feet at the start, and quickly shift strategy to aggressive clinch and takedown attempts once they have tasted a few punches. Only his most recent opponent Robert Plotkin, an experienced pro kickboxer, engaged in an extended striking battle with Brown, and was knocked out with a knee in the first round while ducking his head. Wrestling-based opponents have had some success with takedowns, but Brown has also won several fights by submission, often ensnaring his opponents in his guillotine choke during takedown attempts, or fending them off with aggressive guard work en route to a submission hold or an escape to the feet. Brown also possesses often-overlooked defensive skills, as he as avoided taking serious damage in all of his fights, despite being put in some tough positions by credible opposition. Opponents such as Mike Winters and Benjamin Brewer have been able to make individual rounds competitive, but have thus far always succumbed to strikes or submissions.

Brown’s path crossed with that of Dana White when the UFC president announced that he would be in attendance at ROC 53. Looking For A Fight is presented as a return to the UFC boss’ roots of scouring regional promotions for undiscovered talent. In the pilot episode, White notably discovered Sage Northcutt, and the young and talented fighter has since exploded in popularity as perhaps the UFC’s most recognizable up-and-comer. In the new episode, which was released on UFC FightPass on January 4th and will be released free on YouTube January 11th, the cameras go backstage to show Matt Serra and Ray Longo in Robby Plotkin‘s dressing room prior to the fight. Highlights of the fight are shown, and it is described as an exciting and technical fight between two fighters who “wanted it.”

As previously reported by New York Fighting, Dana White showed interest in Brown following his knockout victory in defending his title, going so far as to meet the victorious fighter in his locker room after the fight. Although he refused to provide New York Fighting with a comment at the time, it appears that our suspicions can now be confirmed by White’s announcement at the end of the episode. “I’m excited about the talent I found,” said White. “I like Randy Brown, so I decided I’m gonna bring him in on our Saturday, January 30th card in Newark, NJ, and I’m gonna put him on the UFC Fight Pass Prelims.”

Written by Kyle Antonelli