MMA

Recovering heroin addict vies for 7th straight UFC win

The UFC returns to Cincinnati Saturday night, headlined by a welterweight affair that’s sure to dazzle.

Matt “The Immortal” Brown, carrying a six-fight win streak, takes on Brazilian striker Erick Silva in a fight many see as Brown’s coming-out party. With a win over Silva, Brown would established the longest winning streak among UFC welterweights — better even than the champ, Jonny Hendricks.

Brown’s resurgence is a classic Cinderella story. A former heroin addict who almost died by the needle, Brown’s UFC career began with mixed success, winning some and getting submitted in others. But now, six men in a row have failed to stop Matt Brown, who always seems to find a way to initiate a brawl, then win it.

Brown has finished Chris Cope, Luis Ramos, Mike Swick, Jordan Swein and Mike Pyle, all with strikes. During the streak, Brown also defeated rising prospect Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson by decision, handing Thompson his lone career loss.

If he bumps the win steak to seven in a fight to be televised on Fox Sports, Brown cannot be denied a top-five opponent or title shot. Standing in his way is mercurial prospect Silva, who blasted onto the scene and established himself as a wild but powerful striker with a flair for the dynamic.

However, the 29-year-old Brazilian fell short of expectations against top-10 competition. He was soundly beat up by Jon Fitch and knocked out cold by Dong-Hyun Kim. While Silva had his moments in both fights, his relative inexperience cost him.

Yet Silva is not a man to be counted out. Like Brown, Silva will opt to stand and strike. And while Brown favors a brawl, Silva usually fights with similar reckless abandon.