Urijah Faber talks about loss to Mike Brown, surgery and Jose Aldo
by Brian Oswald on Jun 9, 2009 11:09 AM EDT
54 comments
Following a gritty performance against WEC featherweight champion Mike Brown at WEC 41 this past weekend, Urijah Faber is still hungry to get back inside the cage.
In a fight that saw "The California Kid" lose weapon after weapon — first he broke his right hand, followed by what appeared to be an injury to his left — Faber refused to throw in the towel, opting to throw elbows and kicks instead.
We had the chance to catch up with the former champion the day after the fight. While a loss never feels good — nor does a broken hand — Faber’s positive spirit remained intact.
"First, I appreciate all the support from fans. I tried to do my thing out there. I burst out of the gates, and after my hand broke, I just tried to gut it out. I knew my hand was broken right away. I put it down by my hip, said fuck it, and started throwing kicks."
One of those kicks led to a Faber slip, resulting in the fighter taking himself down. Brown quickly capitalized.
"Soon after I slipped and fell. On the ground I realized I wouldn’t be able to grapple with my hand. After the round I told my Muay Thai instructor that my hand was broken, and he said, ‘Shut up … you’re a champion in your heart,’ which got my mind back in the fight. From there, I was in survival mode."
It’s difficult to gauge what might have been.
Prior to the hand injuries, Faber looked strong in the first round. His overconfidence and lack of caution from their first outing at WEC 36 was noticeably absent. Faber instead bobbed, weaved, changed levels and otherwise made for a difficult target for Brown to lock onto. It was more or less Faber’s speed vs. Brown’s power punching.
"Not to take away from Brown, but I think the first round was how the rest of the fight would have gone. It was impossible for him to hit me. I definitely think I was headed toward victory. You can’t have something go wrong in a title fight though. It’s unfortunate -- I don’t like to lose, but I will be back."
Faber even landed an overhand right that seemed to rock Brown, but it also might have been the punch that broke the former champion’s hand, sealing his fate. After that, it was all short elbows and kicks. By the end of the fight, Faber’s hands, especially his right, were virtually useless. When the opportunity presented itself to sink in a guillotine choke with just two minutes remaining in the fight, Faber went for it, but found futility instead.
"I watched the fight today and was surprised. I didn’t realize I dished out that much damage. In regard to the submission attempt, I couldn’t finish the move, man. I had it deep too but I didn’t have the hand strength to hold on and finish it."
Now winless (0-2) against the champ, Faber is looking forward to his next opportunity to showcase his skills. But he’ll first have to heal up his injuries. And at least part of this is new territory for the former number one ranked featherweight in the world.
"I’m having surgery tomorrow. I am not sure how exactly many months I will be out because I have never had my hand broken before. They gave me morphine in the ambulance, and I was pissed because I don’t take medicine. Other than that, I am going to do everything I can to heal fast and get back in the cage."
In the meantime, rising talent Jose Aldo is reportedly next in line for a title shot against Brown — a match up Faber thinks is well-deserved.
"I think Jose Aldo should get the next title shot. I think he earned it. Aldo is dangerous. He will be a tough match up for Brown. It will be speed vs. power in that one. Aldo is a great striker, an expert with his Muay Thai. Mike Brown is really good at everything though. It will be a great fight."
So what’s next up for Faber? Does he expect to get an immediate rematch, or will he have to earn it?
"I plan on healing and I would like to come back, fight one fight, and get back in there for another title fight. I don’t make the rules, but I think I proved that I was ready to compete last night and am one of the top fighters in the world. Brown is number one, and I am number two, for now."
Faber will need a few months to heal himself, but don’t be surprised to see him back in action before 2009 is over. The big question will be how many fights he needs to take before getting a second rematch with Brown. What do you think, maniacs?
In the meantime, you can check out Faber’s Web site for updates on his return right here. Here are some videos from the day after his fight, too:
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I don’t know, the first round was close, but to say he woulda won or “Brown couldn’t hit him” is kinda wrong. Brown couldn’t hit him because he has running, not shuffling backwards with a scared look on his face. I went back and re-watched the fight, yes, Faber did well with a broken hand, but I give the advantage to Brown regardless!
by kevin on Jun 9, 2009 11:14 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I agree. And to say that things wouldn’t have changed from round-to-round is ridiculous. There are too many examples of a fight that turns tides, namely ones involving Big Nog.
by Pat on Jun 9, 2009 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think it’s just the confidence of a competitor (although his ego is larger than he is).
by BobC on Jun 9, 2009 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Or at least larger than the butt on his chin.
by LJ on Jun 9, 2009 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
A little off-topic, but Faber’s head kicks blow ass. No snap, no balance, no power, drops his hands, spins around… just terrible form.
by Jeremyjackson on Jun 9, 2009 4:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And I think Aldo now holds the title for “most fucked up victory dance in MMA” after that Ashlee Simpson routine he came up with Sunday night. Fiddler on the roof? River dance? I dunno man, but it was out there.
by Jeremyjackson on Jun 9, 2009 5:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
completely agree. I thought Brown took 2-5, and the 1st was close but i’d give the edge to him in that round as well.
If Dave is out there today, I saw your post yesterday. When I say Brown dominated the fight I didn’t mean he dominated every round or was close to 10-8 rounds, but he did win at least 4 rounds in my book with not much debate. Faber had some flashes, and if his hands weren’t hurt he would have finished that choke, but all in all, Brown was carrying the action and doing what he wanted to do and winning rounds. If a guy wins 4 and possibly 5 rds of a 5 rd fight, I call that domination even if it’s not a total one sided beatdown like GSP/Fitch. I agree the fight would have been different with a healthy Faber but I have a problem with ppl saying he was def gonna win the fight if his hand didn’t break. All I can say is that we were all robbed of a potential fight of the year. I feel like Faber would have won some rounds and it would have been a much better fight if he stayed healthy
by Crowls on Jun 9, 2009 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Crowls, Brown definitely won that fight I’m not debating that, but in a case of ‘speculation’ IMO, Faber would have done a lot better and probably outpointing Brown or submitted him. Brown has the power n’ wrestling but by the 3rd round it was getting even as Brown was getting tired. I’m not one of the people that say he ‘definitely would have won, but I thought it was an ’amazing’ performance against arguably the best featherweight in the world. Faber couldn’t throw 1 right hand nor lock his hands in the clinch or for submissions, I think he’s entitled to feel he ‘could’ (not saying definitely) have won that fight.
by DAVE A on Jun 9, 2009 4:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If I was Mike Brown I would have handed my belt over at the end of the fight! How can you call yourself a woeld champion and not even be able to finish a virtually “no-armed” man! I know Urijah would have still kicked my ass with no arms but Brown is supposed to be the champ! Urijah could NOT punch, grapple, or anything! Rediculous! Brown should be embarassed. Urijah has the heart of a fricken blue whale!
by Baboon on Jun 9, 2009 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t know about handing ove the belt but not being able to finish a guy with a broken hand[see x-ray]is pretty bad.Do you know how hard it had to be to grapple and escape with that hand.
by fghtfn on Jun 9, 2009 1:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
chill out boys, urijah’s legs weren’t broken. He was still using his speed and footwork to avoid alot of exchanges. That’s why Brown had trouble finishing. If urijah broke his foot on a checked leg kick or something and was standing in front of Brown for 5 rounds then that would be a problem.
by Crowls on Jun 9, 2009 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
he finished him before with two good hands… come on
by Ethan on Jun 9, 2009 5:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Brown got lucky in the first fight (and I am NOT saying Brown is not good, he is… you saw that fight… Urijah made a stupid mistake came off the ropes blind with a spinning backfist against a game opponent… and paid for it.
by Baboon on Jun 12, 2009 10:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I disagree. Faber looked solid and very, very quick in that first round. I know it’s woulda, coulda, shoulda at this point, but I believe Faber would have gotten to Brown. He had several submissions on Brown late in the rounds that would have been goodnight if he had not had a broken hand. He was definately avoiding Brown’s right, but that was a smart game plan to me.
by slim473 on Jun 9, 2009 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Your a joke kevin. Urijah basically beat browns ass without hands just with elbows.
by Luke on Jul 28, 2009 11:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
honestly, he got two fights against brown, he needs to win ATLEAST two fights and impressivly before he should get a shot at brown. just because he is a big draw, and has the name recognition, doesnt mean he should have every other title fight with his name on it.
by ryan meleedy on Jun 9, 2009 11:23 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
thank you. promotional golden boy or not. you’re 0-2. Go to the back of the line, do not pass go, do not collect $100.
by Cole on Jun 9, 2009 1:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Unfortunately for you guys, Brown will end up fighting Jose Aldo, lose and then be fighting Faber again on faber’s first fight back. I don’t see Brown, or anyone, beating Aldo anytime soon. That guy wold have eaten both of those guys alive. That said, why wouldn’t you want to see another Faber vs Brown fight. This last fight was great, and that was with Faber having a broken hand. There’s alot of talent in that weight class, but this is a solid matchup and has just produced a great fight. Accidents happen, you can’t blame Faber for breaking his hand(s). If he would have lost w/o the broken hand, then I’d say not for awhile, but he did have a bad hand since the first round and still made that an exciting fight.
by slim473 on Jun 9, 2009 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i think he did amazing considering and really i did not see brown dominate that much seeing as his opponent was hurt bad from the first round..takes balls..i see jose walking through brown.
by sarah on Jun 9, 2009 11:24 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
You could be right Sarah Jose has some amazing strikes. I dont know how well he takes a shot from a guy with the power of Browns. And as Faber said Brown is a well rounded fighter
by lokie on Jun 9, 2009 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Those two are a good match up; they make for an exciting fight, even though Faber is 0-2 now I’m not against a 3rd fight between the two. Maybe Faber vs Garcia for his next fight??
by O damn he got caught on Jun 9, 2009 11:25 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Id like to see him fight Grispi
by medecine balls on Jun 9, 2009 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Urijah Faber would kill Grispi it would be a joke. Josh is not a better fighter than jens he just got a great choke in. Also i think grispi dosen’t have enough experience for faber yet he’s really young. I want to see Faber vs Fabbiano so bad. No urijah will not get another rematch his first fight he will have to beat a guy ranked in the top 5 to get another title shot
by James on Aug 15, 2009 5:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Then you are overlooking the fact that more and more fights will be for what it can draw rather than who “technically” deserves it more. Not saying I agree with it, just saying that is the business reality of it.
by Kung Foo on Jun 9, 2009 11:33 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
true warrior, get better faber, as for brown, he is a monster @ 145, will probably have a tough time staying @ that weight, looks like he could fight 155 easy. w.e.c. puts on a great card, the lighter guy’s with their energy really impress.
by daz on Jun 9, 2009 11:37 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
If Faber is looking for an easy win for his comeback fight he should just fight Cub. I think I could beat Cub if I hit him or choke him in the first 30 seconds.
by mikehunt on Jun 9, 2009 11:42 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I’m really excited for this Jose Aldo fight now. I would be extremely surprised for it to make it out of the 1st. Aldo seems to have just as much power as brown, with a slight speed advantage too. Aldo also uses more tools than brown, who seems to rely mainly on his huge overhand right.
by Mattchupichu on Jun 9, 2009 11:47 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
A “slight” speed advantage? LOL.
I haven’t seen enough of Aldo on the ground to be sure of how he’d fare against the likes of Brown and Faber there, but on the feet it’s no contest, Aldo would slay them.
by Jeremyjackson on Jun 9, 2009 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Brown did enough to win but other than that not much. Those punches from the clinch were just as weak at faber left hook palm strike. his takedown. they were great but failed to keep faber down. Faber got up every single time. striking wise faber i think would have beat him to the punch everytime. yall say he was scared but how are you supposed to act when you have your hand broken when it never has been broken before. Also faber won the third round … with no hands…. so for Brown to be this bad ass as yall make him. He couldnt finish nor completly dominate a broke down faber. Like i said he did enough to win. Not impressed
by Gil on Jun 9, 2009 12:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
FABER SHOULD GET A SHOT IF HE IS THE NEXT RIGHTFUL FIGHTER IN LINE.
FOR EXAMPLE LETS SAY BROWN BEATS ALDO AND FABER WAS TO FIGHT WAGNEY FABIANO AND BEATS HIM, THEN WHO ELSE IS THERE?
GRISPI!
SO GRISPI WOULD BE NEXT THEN FABER SO HE COULD BE 1 OR 2 FIGHTS AWAY IF HE WINS A BIG FIGHT.
IT WAS A VERY CLOSE FIGHT WITH A JACKED HAND, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY HARD TO CALL WITH A GOOD HAND.
by Badguy on Jun 9, 2009 1:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Faber is a big mouth who show boats in the ring. He is no 0-2 vs. Brown. No more title shots for the california baby, time to heal up and fight other fighters for another shot but Brown sure does not have to fight him three times to prove anything. Faber lost thank God yet again. Such a baby he is.
by Stoker on Jun 9, 2009 1:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
faber is a real champ, proved that to any doubter with his great performance despite a BROKEN HAND and sprained left wrist. Some of you may not like Faber but you are denying the FACT that he is a true champ. He is not a baby. You try fighting 4 rounds with a broken hand against Brown.
by Clint S. on Jun 9, 2009 11:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
srry for being a bit off topic but….did anyone else think jorgenson got robbed!!!!! he won the 2nd and third round for sure. I think the antonio won the first and scott won the second so the third had to be the deciding round. Scott had a steady pace and at the end topped it off with pure domination. Anyone else agree!? Srry 4 being off topic btw i no sum people don’t lyk it but this was the latest wec article!
by hamsterwheel1307 on Jun 9, 2009 1:34 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I was there, I thought the 3rd was 10-8 Scott. I said, if it went to the judges (politics) that it would go to Banuelos’, Chuck’s boy..
by DirtbagHtr on Jun 9, 2009 3:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I totally agree with Kevin. I dont see how anyone thinks that it was close. Faber clearly lost. He was good at running in the beginning, but it wouldnt have been too long before he decided to keep exchanging instead. Yeah he almost got some subs at the end.. but whos to say that he would have even tried that if he didnt have a broken hand. Brown knew his hand was messed up, he knew he wasnt getting subbed, he obviously didnt care about it. He was just going for the KO. Bottom line.
Faber needs a couple fights before he should get a title shot. I would love to see Aldo/Brown… I dont think it will be as good of a fight as most are thinking.. but it will be decent for sure
by enzo-enormous on Jun 9, 2009 1:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Aldo is goin to beat brown and Fabor is going to fight and beat Grispi. Then Fabor is going to get to fight Aldo for the belt and win it back. Then we will have a 3 Brown v Faber 3 and Faber will be healthy and will win.
by Dan on Jun 9, 2009 1:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Dreamland must be a nice place. ;)
I’m kidding.
by Sean M on Jun 9, 2009 3:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Faber came in2 both fights with Brown healthy and lost!
by BOW on Jun 9, 2009 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I like Fabor and all but get off Fabors nuts. The “Kid” lost thats that. Dont give me this he hurt his hands shit… Go look and tell me how many times Forrest Griffin has broken his hand in a fight and not cryed like LIL Urijah did. For being looked at as one of the best p4p out there if not the best 145er. MAN THE “F” UP.
by Xsjado on Jun 9, 2009 2:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Uriah’s hand is totally broken and directly affected the potential outcome of this fight. You cant watch the fight, look at the picture of the X-Ray and say it did not affect him for the rest of the fight…….IT DID!! That said Brown surely did not totally dominate for the rest of the fight and for as injured as Faber was Brown could not finish him off. Faber had one hand and was not even close to being finished. Im not a fan of either of these guys so my opinion does not lean towards either. I just think the broken hand was the differance and Faber wouldve won if it was not broken.
by the spyder on Jun 9, 2009 2:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
9 times out of 10 Brown wins. Faber strategy = throw elbow, run, repeat. Broken hand makes for a good excuse.
by rbk on Jun 9, 2009 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
RBK .. go look at the post fight interview after the fight… then tell me his hand is an excuse
by Gil on Jun 9, 2009 2:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Faber broke it his hand on brown HEAD last time i checked ur body is a weapon thats faber fault for throwing improper punches he was swinging like a mad man obviously he was going to get hurt and brown his faber head his hand didnt break just faber looked good but everyone knew brown was more powerful I just couldnt see faber finishing him in anyway
by rsb on Jun 9, 2009 3:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Faber appears to be a bulked-up natural 135 lb. bantamweight whereas Brown appears to be a weight-cutting natural 155 lb. lightweight. When they meet in the middle at the 145 lb. featherweight division advantage is clearly Browns. Another point, when Brown knew that Faber’s hands were incapacitated it likely changed his fight plan as dramatically as it did with Sunshine boy (i.e., it appeared Brown went from an offensive and riskier fight-to-win mentality to a defensive and conservative fight-to-not-lose). Brown didn’t close it out with any unnecessary and riskier KO or TKO barrages because he probably knew that the fight was in the bag if only he could only keep out of trouble and close range with Faber reduced to elbows and kicks.
by jhb2 on Jun 9, 2009 6:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
mike brown was completely unimpressive and was getting out pointed in the first round and made look like a chump until faber broke his hand. You guys are talking about guys being on fabers nuts!?!?!! your giving props to a guy who couldnt finish a crippled man look at the f@#$ing x rays!!!!!! are you serious !?!?!1 TOTALLY CHANGED THE FIGHT WITHOUT QUESTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Faber severely broke his hand and dislocated his thumb on the other. Mike brown will get owned by aldo if he fights like that against him and its sad he got the belt on a lucky punch cuz it seems whenever he fights faber something miraculous happens the dude has won the lottery twice. HE DID NOTHING IN THE FIGHT NOTHING!!!! THOSE LIL PUNCHES ? PLEASE HE EVEN SAID HE COULDNT GET HIS GLOVES ON FABER!!1 WITH GOOD HANDS FABER IS IN AND OUT ALL NIGHT LIKE RD 1 AND FINISHES MANY SUBMISSIONS TO WIN NO QUESTIONS ASKED. SO TO ALL OF YOU SAYING" FABERS A BABY DOESNT DESERVE ANOTHER SHOT?" TAKE YOUR CASUAL MMA KNOWLEDGE ELSEWHERE CAUSE MIKE BROWN DIDNT WIN THE FIGHT HE DID NOTHING BUT NOT FINISH A NO ARMED MAN IT REALLY SAD HOW DUMB SOME OF YOU ARE. JUST LOOK AT THE XRAYS THEN REALIZE YOUR BOY COULDNT FINISH CAUSE HES WEAK. NICE JOB BROWN WAY TO DO NOTHING IN A FIGHT BUT WIN BY DEFAULT. oK I GUESS I CAN GIVE BROWN SOME PROPS HE IS SLIGHTLY BETTER THAN URIJAH FABER WITHOUT ARMS GG ALDO IS GONNA KNOWCK HIM THE F@#$ OUT!!!!!
by dbo on Jun 10, 2009 2:20 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I have to say that I agree with Faber. He knew what he was capable of and he knew just how much that broken hand handi-capped him. Like any good fighter should know- he knows his limits. Hell, just the fact that he almost submitted and beat Brown with an injury that severe is amazing. Faber in my eyes is still the #1 featherweight of the world. He got a little cocky the first time around and got caught. On this level though, anyone can beat anyone once. Competition is fierce and all these guys have the potential and necessary skills to to win fights, otherwise, they wouldn’t be here.
Depending on if the WEC gives Faber another title shot soon, I look forward to seeing Faber back as the 145 champ before this year is out or sometime during early 10’.
Don’t listen to these chumps Faber. You yourself obviously know that you have more than what it takes to win, and I agree with you. Good luck man; heal fast.
by mike on Jun 28, 2009 11:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Take the names out…..fighter A and fighter B……..Fighter A breaks hand in round 2……Yet fighter A wins round 3……..and gets Fighter B in a submission hold…….Logical conclusion is that fighter A even in his incapasitated state is more skilled than Fighter B……Fighter B failed to identify his oponents weakness/injury and failed to capatalize……
by houndtea on Aug 9, 2009 6:01 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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