After greater than 5 years since his final battle, bantamweight legend Urijah Faber (35-11 MMA, 11-7 UFC) has been launched from the UFC roster. His departure from the corporate comes after a latest little bit of roster cleansing, with him being let go from his contract alongside Victor Hugo, Kyung Ho Kang, and Danny Roberts.
The final time fights followers witnessed the fabled “California Child” in motion was again in 2019 at UFC 245, the place he was blasted into unconsciousness by a surging Petr Yan. Though Faber has entertained the concept of constructing a return through the years, together with a possible matchup with Marlon Vera, nothing ever materialized, leaving many to imagine that the now 45-year previous has quietly retired.
Urijah Faber Was As soon as One in all Prime Fighters On the Planet
Though the UFC’s 135-lb panorama is packed to the brim with many new and established stars at the moment, the story of the division merely can’t be advised with out Urijah Faber. For the primary 5 years of his profession, the California native was arguably among the many finest within the sport, having gained such prestigious regional and main promotional championships in two totally different weight courses.
Amongst these titles that he gained have been the King of the Cage Bantamweight strap (which he defended 5 instances) and the World Excessive Cagefighting (WEC) Featherweight championship.
It was within the WEC the place Urijah Faber flourished as their 145-lb titleholder, defending his throne a complete of 5 instances in opposition to the likes of Jeff Curran, Jens Pulver, and a younger Dominick Cruz. This reign of dominance could be put to relaxation by Mike Brown, nevertheless, who completed Faber within the first spherical by TKO.
That is nonetheless considered as one of many greatest upsets in WEC historical past, as Faber was not solely 21-1 at the moment, however he was additionally using a large 13-fight win streak. From right here, the west coast fighter by no means regained his place on the high within the group, as Faber ended up falling brief in his subsequent two title pictures, shedding to Brown as soon as extra and an up-and-coming José Aldo.
Urijah Faber Makes Transfer to UFC
Dropping right down to bantamweight for the primary time in over 4 years, he picked up a submission win over Takeya Mizugaki in what could be his ultimate bout within the WEC earlier than the promotion was bought by the UFC. Nonetheless competing within the 135-lb class, Urijah Faber gained his debut when he confronted off with Eddie Wineland, immediately incomes himself a championship alternative versus earlier opponent, Cruz, at UFC 132. Lately capturing the vacant strap by beating Scott Jorgensen, Cruz was now a seasoned world-class competitor after coming over from the WEC as their bantamweight king. This confirmed in his rematch with Faber, with “The Dominator” getting his hand raised to avenge his solely loss on the time.
Following this setback, Faber gained his comeback bout reverse Brian Bowles to earn his personal runback with Cruz, however the champion wound up getting injured, which led to the UFC placing on an interim title contest between Faber and Brazilian phenom Renan Barão at UFC 149.
Going all 5 rounds with the 31-1 Barão, “The California Child” failed for a second time to hoist firm gold above his head when he misplaced the battle by unanimous resolution. This wasn’t the final time these two opponents ever crossed paths, although, as a result of after successful 4 extra bouts, Urijah Faber earned one other likelihood to beat Barão at UFC 169, who had been promoted to undisputed champion after Cruz was stripped resulting from inactivity. Sadly, this battle concluded in way more definitive style in comparison with their first one when the champion viciously knocked Faber out within the very first spherical to place an finish to their rivalry.
One other Shot at Gold for Urijah Faber
It will be one other two years and a 3 battle win streak at 135-lb (he took and misplaced a featherweight contest to Frankie Edgar throughout that stretch) till Faber managed to claw his approach again towards a championship affair at UFC 199. This title battle was to be a very powerful considered one of his total profession, as he entered the Octagon in his third and ultimate bout along with his nemesis, Cruz.
Having snatched the belt away from Faber’s then teammate T.J. Dillashaw, the Alpha Male founder discovered himself preventing for extra than simply redemption, he was competing to avenge his good friend on the time. Cruz nonetheless proved to be the higher man, nevertheless, and soundly shut out Faber, almost incomes 50-45 scorecards throughout the board.
The Finish Of Faber’s Illustrious Story As a Fighter
Earlier than choosing up a victory over Brad Pickett in 2016, Faber made the announcement that the battle was going to be his final, and for 3 years, it appeared that the California legend was really achieved with competing. That was till a 2019 inclusion at UFC Battle Evening: de Randamie vs. Ladd noticed the previous WEC champion smoke Ricky Simón within the first spherical in one of many extra highlight-reel performances of his later UFC tenure.
It seemed as if the growing older Faber had just a bit extra left within the tank to go on yet one more spectacular run. To the shock of many, nevertheless, he could be stopped devastatingly in his subsequent journey to the cage by Petr Yan, who flatlined the American with an enormous head kick, bringing an finish to the bantamweight luminary’s storied profession.
Urijah Faber At this time
At the moment, Faber owns, operates, and coaches at Crew Alpha Male, thought-about to be a premier combined martial arts gymnasium in California, which has produced UFC standouts like Cody Garbrandt, Music Yadong, and Yan Xiaonan. He additionally based his personal preventing promotion referred to as Urijah Faber’s A1 Fight.
Regardless of not having fought in MMA for greater than half a decade, Faber has remained considerably energetic in fight sports activities, competing twice in 2024 in grappling matches, notably beating fifth diploma Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Bibiano Fernandes at ADXC 5.
