Michael Bisping ‘surprised’ Urijah Faber is returning

UFC Hall of Famer Urijah Faber is set to return to the Octagon at UFC Sacramento to take on Ricky Simon. “The California Kid” last fought back in December of 2016 where he beat Brad Pickett.

Although Faber has been talking about returning for quite some time, news of the announcement surprised his fellow Hall of Famer Michael Bisping. The Englishman was surprised given how much success the 40-year-old is having outside of fighting and believes he doesn’t need the money.

“I was surprised cause by all accounts, Urijah Faber is a very very successful businessman. And no disrespect Urijah,” Bisping said on his Believe You Me podcast. “Everybody loves the f**king ‘California Kid.’ Yeah, he’s a very successful businessman, [he] has his fingers in a lot of pies even dabbling into movie producing these days. … So he’s keeping busy. He still has Team Alpha Male. They have this other new gym that they opened, which is a beautiful facility as well.”

However, Michael Bisping believes he knows why Urijah Faber is returning. He spends most of his days in the gym training with high-level fighters and believes he was having success there. And, given the fact that the 40-year-old has recently competed in a jiu-jitsu match, the itch to fight again may still be there.

“I think it’s probably a case of, he’s around the gym, he’s working out with the guys still, he’s the head coach. And he’s like, ‘hold on a minute I’ve still f**king got this. I maybe dominated some of the guys in there.’”

Urijah Faber will fight on July 13 in his return to the UFC. His comeback will serve as the card’s co-main event.

Are you surprised that Urijah Faber is returning to fight at UFC Sacramento? Sound off in the comments section.

This article first appeared on BJPENN.COM on 6/7/2019.