Damien Brown (fighter)

Damien Brown (born 25 December 1984) is an Australian mixed martial artist who competes in the lightweight division. A professional since 2010, he has also competed for the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Rizin FF, BRACE, and Cage Warriors.

Background
Brown was born in Albury, New South Wales, Australia. He is a full-time prison officer and a veteran of the Australian Army, serving as an infantry soldier, who was deployed to Afghanistan in 2007. He credits MMA training helping him to recover his post-traumatic stress and depression from his active service in the war zone. He would like to be the role model for the war veterans who suffer from PTSD,  showing them the hopes and using the cage as the platform to advocate greater support for war veterans which they much deserved.

Brown started Zen Do Kai martial arts training when he was a kid. After return from military service from Afghanistan with some injuries, Brown joined a local Kickboxing school as part of the rehab program to improve his physical fitness and his professional career began one year later after he picked up BJJ training.

Early career
Brown participated in various MMA promotions as such Australian Fighting Championship (AFC), BRACE, European-based Cage Warriors Fighting Championship. He held a 5 win streak prior signed by Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

Ultimate Fighting Championship
Brown made his promotional debut on one week-notice debut in March 2016 at UFC Fight Night 85 against Alan Patrick and lost by decision (unanimous).

He took on Cesar Arzamendia, a veteran of the Ultimate Fighter Latin America 2, at UFC 201 in July 2016 and won by knockout in round 1.

At UFC Fight Night 101, Brown managed to steal a victory against Jon Tuck with a split decision.

Brown faced Vinc Pichel at UFC Fight Night 110 on 11 June 2017. He lost the fight via knockout in the first round.

Brown faced Frank Camacho on 19 November 2017, at UFC Fight Night: Werdum vs. Tybura. At the weight-ins, Camacho weighed in at 160 pounds, 4 pounds over the lightweight upper limit of 156 pounds. The bout proceeded at a catchweight and Camacho forfeited 30% of his purse to Brown. He lost the fight via split decision. This fight earned him Fight of the Night bonus.

Brown faced Dong Hyun Ma on 11 February 2018 at UFC 221. He lost the fight by split decision.

On July 2, 2018, it was announced that Brown was released from UFC.

Post-UFC career
After his release from the UFC, Brown signed a two-fight contract with Rizin FF. Brown made his promotional debut against fellow UFC veteran Daron Cruickshank at Rizin 14 on December 31, 2018. He won the fight via submission in the first round.

As the second and last fight of his prevailing contract, Brown faced Koji Takeda at Rizin 15 on April 21, 2019. Brown won the fight via unanimous decision.

Riding a two-win streak, Brown signed a new contract with Rizin and joined the 2019 Lightweight Grand Prix. In the opening round of the grand prix, Brown faced Tofiq Musayev at Rizin 19 on October 12, 2019. Brown lost the fight via TKO in the first round.

Beatdown Promotions
Brown currently heads the promotion ‘Beatdown Promotions’, an Australian based promotion that looks to provide amateur and professional fighters from Australia and New Zealand an opportunity to expose themselves to a larger audience.

Championships and accomplishments

 * Ultimate Fighting Championship
 * Fight of the Night (one time) vs. Frank Camacho