Former Champ Brown Returns at Jan. 10 WEC

Mike Thomas Brown will return against Anthony Morrison at WEC 46 on Jan. 10 inside the Arco Arena in Sacramento, Calif., the promotion announced on Saturday.

Brown ruled the WEC’s 145-pound division until he met Jose Aldo at WEC 44 last November. The fast-rising Aldo stunted Brown’s advances and broke Brown down with fast, effective striking before coaxing out the stoppage in the second round.

A member of American Top Team, the 34-year-old Brown derailed former champion Urijah Faber in the first round to take the promotion’s featherweight championship at WEC 36 in November 2008. The well-versed Brown defended his title twice, submitting Leonard Garcia at WEC 39 and decisioned Faber in their rematch at WEC 41 last June.

Morrison punched his ticket to the big show with his 69-second victory against UFC veteran Alvin Robinson at Ring of Fire 36 on Dec. 4 in Denver. The 25-year-old Morrison has won four of his last five bouts.