Matt Brown has worked for everything he has. 

After overcoming a drug addiction before getting into the sport, it only took him two years to make it to the bright lights of the UFC Octagon. 

In his 20 fights under the promotional banner, he has turned around a three-fight losing streak, cultivated a seven-fight win streak, and although he came up short against Demian Maia at UFC 198, he is still regarded as one of the best welterweights in the world. 

When Dana White claimed that Conor McGregor could potentially get a title shot against Robbie Lawler if he had beaten Nate Diaz at UFC 196, you could almost hear the collective sigh of the top contenders at 170 pounds. 

Even though he fully understands the entertainment aspect of the sport, Brown believes that UFC allowing people like McGregor to jump the queue does affect the purity of the sport. 

“I’m a purist of this sport,” Brown said. “What I love about it is the fact that people get what they’ve worked for, unlike in boxing where it’s more about the big names. There are a lot of fake titles in boxing, too, and I don’t like things like that. In UFC, you don’t see as much of that. UFC are running a business, and to put asses in seats, they’ve got to give McGregor what he wants, I guess. I see both sides of it. 

“For me, as a person and a fighter, I don’t want to see anything that isn’t pure. UFC have to focus on the entertainment aspect of this, too, and I understand that. It’s a different fundamental position on things. They’re not in my position and I’m not in their position. We’re not going to agree on everything.” 

As the featherweight champion McGregor prepares for a second crack at the Stockton native Diaz on Aug. 20, Brown is confident that the same opportunity to fight for the welterweight strap will not be afforded to McGregor, whatever the outcome may be. 

“I think we’ve seen pretty clearly that (McGregor) doesn’t really stand a chance (at welterweight) anyway," Brown said. "I think any talks of him getting a title shot, even if he wins the rematch, are pretty much out the window at this point anyway.” 

With Jon Jones being forced from the UFC 200 card due to a potential anti-doping violation, the UFC's marquee July 9 event has become quite an entertainment-heavy showcase in the eyes of people like Brown. The 35-year-old admits that he enjoys “freak shows” as much as the next fan, but Brock Lesnar's return after nearly five years of absence to take a prominent position is not what he would have opted for if he was in charge. 

“I loved Pride for that,” Brown said on the topic of freak shows. “I loved them putting Fedor [Emelianenko] up against Hong Man Choi and then other fights with ‘Giant Silva’ and stuff. I love those kinds of things. Guys like Ikuhisa Minowa fighting all those giants—that was great. I love those freak shows. I even love when Bellator puts on freak shows. 

“UFC is the top of the food chain. UFC is supposed to be as real as it gets. They’re the most authentic, pure version of the sport. That’s what I want out of it and that’s what I expect out of it as a fan of the UFC." 

Where Lesnar is concerned, Brown again understands. That doesn't mean he agrees. 

“I can’t overemphasize enough how much I understand where they’re coming from when they do these things," Brown said. "Brock is going to bring a crap-load of viewers and he’s going to get a lot more people talking about it, especially with the so-called ‘casual viewers’ that watch Desperate Housewives and whatever else.

“I get it. Every ticket sale counts and every pay-per-view sale counts, but I guess it just dilutes the purity of the sport. For me, that’s what it does. Again, UFC is in the entertainment business. I don’t think it’s the way I would do business personally, but that’s probably why they have billions of dollars and I have hundreds." 

In his last four fights, Brown has taken on three of the welterweight division's top tier in Maia, Lawler, and Johny Hendricks. Gearing up to face Jake Ellenberger July 30 at UFC 201, the fact that the welterweight championship will be determined on the same night when Tyron Woodley faces Lawler in the main event is not completely lost on Brown.

“It’s definitely a good thing to be fighting on the same day that the champion of your division is going to be decided," Brown said. "Realistically, I’m not in the title conversation at this point. Maybe the guy who loses the title fight could be an option if I win well, but I’ve got to take care of Ellenberger first. 

“It’s one step at a time. I’ve got to be concerned about my next opponent, though. I’m never really conscious of everything else that goes on around me when I have a fight lined up.”