WEC Featherweight Champion Urijah Faber has emerged as the face of World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC), racking up five consecutive wins for the Zuffa-owned promotion. In fact, he has not tasted defeat in 13 fights -- an impressive streak that dates back to 2005.
His record, fighting style and personality have thrust him to the forefront of the MMA scene. And the "California Kid" will once again be back in the bright spotlight at WEC 36: "Faber vs. Brown," defending his 145-pound title against number one contender Mike Brown in the main event live on Versus at 8 p.m. ET on November 5.
It's perhaps the toughest test to date for the 29-year-old fighter.
"Mike Brown is a really tough guy," Faber recently told MMAmania.com in an exclusive interview. "He is 19 and 4 out of American Top Team. He fought his last fights in Japan and he has fought before in Russia a little bit. He is tough. He is well rounded and, well, I think I’m going to beat him up."
Faber is infamous in industry circles for his tireless work ethic and dedication to training inside the gym. While most fighters are associated with big name camps like ATT, American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) or X-Treme Couture, among others, Faber spills his blood, sweat and tears in his own facility.
"It’s my own gym, downtown Sacramento," Faber says of Ultimate Fitness. "I feel like it is one of the best facilities in America. We’ve got a lot of top-notch trainers and a lot of great fighters that are going to be coming out of here and making a real big splash in the sport. It is an awesome facility -- I spend most of my time here."
Naturally, Urijah trains under different trainers depending on the discipline being taught. When asked who his trainers are Urijah replied, "My Muay Thai instructor, boxing instructor is Master Thong. He is a really accomplished trainer. He has four WEO champions, two kickboxing world champions and over 300 matches for Muay Thai itself. And I have Fabio Prado -- he is my Brazilian jiu-jitsu coach now. There are a lot of guys on our team that help out as well."
The lone blemish on Urijah’s professional record is courtesy of top UFC lightweight contender Tyson Griffin. It's a result that still eats at him to this day. And even though he compete at 145 pounds and Griffin is entrenched in the 155-pound division, Faber is eager for a rematch.
"Yeah I think it could happen," Faber says about fighting Griffin again. "Maybe not right away, but something, before I’m done fighting and he is done fighting, hopefully, for sure will happen."
As for the difference in weight, Faber has a solution to make the fight happen.
"I’d have to go up in weight," he says. "I wouldn’t necessarily switch over to the UFC. Maybe they would do some kind of cross promotion. I’m not sure how it would work. I’m not really thinking that far into the future right now. I’m just trying to focus on what’s at hand and go day-by-day."
Of course, Faber would be unable to do what he does and enjoy the success that he does without the support of those closest to him ... even if they can't bear to watch him get punched in the face.
"My family support is great," he says. "My mom doesn’t like to come watch me fight. She can’t handle the brutality of it. The idea of me getting punched and stuff like that. But she will watch it after she already knows the results. She has always supported me in my life in just about everything I’ve done. The rest of my family loves it! They know I’m following my dreams."
Those dreams will continue to be reality when Urijah meets up with Mike Brown next Wednesday night. He's prepared as usual, ready to represent the WEC as the face of the promotion with his trademark smile and action-packed performances that have helped elevate him to the upper echelon of the sport.
"Thank you so much for all the support," he says. "I really feel the love. Keep on watching and check out UrijahFaber.com and enjoy the fight. It is going to be exciting."
That's quite the understatement as far as Urijah Faber is concerned.
To check out the complete audio of Penny Buffington's interview with WEC Featherweight Champion Urijah Faber click here. In addition, fans may be very interested to know you can go to UrijahFaber.com or NoFear.com for a chance to win a VIP trip to Sacramento to see Urijah Faber and his Ultimate Fitness gym for an exclusive training session with the champ. The contest begins on November 5.
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