Matt Brown (fighter)

 Brown was born and raised in Jamestown, Ohio. After being home-schooled for a period of two year, Brown attended Greeneview High School where he struggled with fitting in. Living in an unimportant town that had no future beyond a low paying factory job as a machinist, Brown was discontent and began using drinking and drugs. Brown was addicted to methamphetamine and used cocaine regularly, and frequently got into fights at gatherings. In his twenties, he had suffered an overdose of heroin, which earned him the nickname "The Immortal", had been homeless and sent admitted to prison. Brown was drawn to MMA after he began practicing submission holds when he was drunk. He was out with a group of friends to watch Ken Shamrock fight. Brown decided to sign up for his first fight within a matter of hours. Brown bought a mouthpiece from the shop next door, prepared it at a nearby restaurant and took home his first victory. Brown was again fighting on the same evening and was badly beaten, but lost an appeal. Brown's first formal training was in a Japanese Jiu-Jitsu gym. He was willing to fight in two weeks following Muay Thai rules. Brown was defeated by a decision in a Sanhou match and was back at work that night. Brown later joined a Jorge Gurgel affiliate, which led him to full MMA training.