Urijah Faber News
Urijah Faber on Henry Cejudo fight: 'I could do it after this one'
Tom Taylor - July 12, 2019
This Saturday, in the co-main event of UFC Sacramento, Urijah Faber returns to the cage opposite rising bantamweight contender Ricky Simon. If he wins, he’ll take a big step in the direction of a bantamweight title fight with new champion Henry Cejudo, who called him out after claiming the title with a TKO of Marlon Moraes at UFC 238. “Absolutely, I’ll never rule that out,” Faber said of Cejudo in an interview with MMA Fighting. “Henry just called me out, the current champ at two different weight classes and an Olympic gold medalist. So that’s an enticing fight for me because of the matchup, and you know, the reason I’m in the sport. And the fact he threw me in the mix and we talked about it 10 years ago prior, which is kind of cool how that all played out. So that’s always in the back of my head, for sure.”
UFC Sacramento | Pro fighters make their picks for Urijah Faber vs. Ricky Simon
Cole Shelton - July 11, 2019
UFC Hall of Famer Urijah Faber is set to return to the Octagon this Saturday when he takes on Ricky Simon at UFC Sacramento. This bout will be Faber’s first since he retired in 2016. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions. Although the 26-year-old in Simon is a -340 favorite, compared to Faber who is a +260 underdog, many are leaning towards the Hall of Famer getting it done.
Ricky Simon: It's a 'bad idea' for Urijah Faber to return against me
Cole Shelton - July 9, 2019
Ricky Simon did not expect to get the offer to fight UFC Hall of Famer Urijah Faber. Simon believed the UFC would give Urijah Faber a winnable fight in his return to action, and assures that he is not that. The 26-year-old is 15-1 as a pro and undefeated in the UFC. He is coming off of a decision win over Rani Yahya at UFC 234, which cemented him as a top-15 bantamweight. While he was waiting for his next fight contract, he was in the midst of planning a wedding and honeymoon, which he had to cancel the latter when the call to fight Faber came.
T.J. Dillashaw says Urijah Faber "probably should've stayed retired"
Mike Pendleton - June 17, 2019
Former UFC bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw is currently serving a two-year suspension from USADA for his use of EPO, and recently spoke on his decision to take the banned-substance, but he also discussed more than that in his interview with Chael Sonnen. During his interview on the “You’re Welcome” podcast hosted by Chael Sonnen, Dillashaw discussed the return of his former coach and teammate Urijah Faber who is ending his retirement to take on Ricky Simon at UFC Sacramento on July 13, and didn’t hold back in his thoughts on Faber’s return. Faber recently spoke on the possibility of fighting Dillashaw, and it’s a fight that interests him when his former teammate returns from suspension.
Michael Bisping 'surprised' Urijah Faber is returning
Cole Shelton - June 7, 2019
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.
Urijah Faber discusses fighting T.J. Dillashaw in the future
Cole Shelton - June 3, 2019
At UFC Sacramento, Urijah Faber will return to the Octagon for a bantamweight tilt against Ricky Simon. It will be nearly three years since ‘The California Kid” last fought, but the 40-year-old is eager to return. Although Simon is not the biggest name, a win at UFC Sacramento could help setup a future fight with former teammate turned bitter rival T.J. Dillashaw. The former UFC bantamweight kingpin, Dillashaw is currently suspended for two years due to EPO use.
Timing is everything, and Urijah Faber’s UFC return is impeccably punctual
Jordy McElroy - May 29, 2019
As the broken pieces of the UFC’s bantamweight ocean liner slowly descended into the Pacific, a rising tide came washing in on Tuesday, carrying Urijah Faber in a red cape on a surfboard with sounds of “California Love” blaring in the background. “The California Kid” is returning to combat sports as a middle-aged man and adding a new page to the fighting chapter of one of the most storied careers in MMA history.
Urijah Faber gets opponent for comeback fight
Tom Taylor - May 28, 2019
Urijah Faber has long been teasing a return to the Octagon, and now it’s official. The former WEC featherweight champion and long-time UFC bantamweight contender will battle Ricky Simon at UFC Sacramento on July 13. Wrestling Observer Newsletter’s Dave Meltzer was the first to report this new matchup.
Urijah Faber expects TJ Dillashaw will return 'a beast' but for all the wrong reasons
Cole Shelton - May 22, 2019
Former UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw is currently sidelined with a two-year suspension, this after testing positive for EPO. As soon as the news came out, many people questioned what this will do to his legacy, and how he will look when he returns to the Octagon in two years time? Well, according to his former friend turned bitter rival Urijah Faber, TJ Dillashaw will likely be even better than ever when he comes back from suspension. And, not only will he be better, but the 40-year-old believes people will also forget he got caught by USADA.
Urijah Faber says he is 'very serious' about returning and has been offered fights
Cole Shelton - May 22, 2019
“The California Kid” Urijah Faber could very well return from retirement at UFC Sacramento this July. The 40-year-old last fought back in December 2016, when he beat Brad Pickett and then announced his retirement from the sport. Given Sacramento is where Faber’s gym, Team Alpha Male is based, it only makes sense that he wants to return on that card. According to Faber, he is quite serious about returning and has been offered fights already.
Urijah Faber details injuries Sage Northcutt sustained in Cosmo Alexandre loss
Tom Taylor - May 22, 2019
Las week, on the main card of the stacked ONE: Enter the Dragon card in Singapore, former UFC talent Sage Northcutt made his ONE Championship debut opposite dangerous kickboxing export Cosmo Alexandre. Unfortunately for Northcutt and his legions of fans, this ONE debut went disastrously, as we was knocked out in less than 30 seconds. After this tough knockout loss, Northcutt was carted to a Singapore hospital, where he underwent a nine-hour surgery to repair several facial injuries.
Urijah Faber encourages fans to support Sage Northcutt after KO loss
Thomas Taylor - May 19, 2019
On Friday, on the main card of the stacked ONE: Enter the Dragon card in Singapore, former UFC talent Sage Northcutt made his ONE Championship debut opposite dangerous kickboxing export Cosmo Alexandre. Unfortunately for Northcutt and his legions of fans, this ONE debut went disastrously, as we was knocked out in less than 30 seconds. After this tough knockout loss, Northcutt was carted to a Singapore, where he underwent a nine-hour surgery to repair several facial injuries.
MMA stars react to TJ Dillashaw USADA suspension
Thomas Taylor - April 9, 2019
This afternoon, news broke that TJ Dillashaw has been suspended for two years for his use of recombinant human erythropoietin (EPO), an “injectable only” drug. “I’m quite familiar with EPO from my days investigating professional cycling teams,” UFC Vice President of Athlete Health and Performance Jeff Novitzky told ESPN of EPO and how it is used. “It’s a very effective substance. It’s not a substance you find in contaminated supplements, it’s injectable only. You have to know what you’re doing when it enters your system.
Urijah Faber considering MMA return, has potential opponent in mind
Tom Taylor - March 25, 2019
Former WEC featherweight champion and long-time UFC bantamweight contender Urijah Faber is reportedly considering a return to MMA. Speaking on Ariel Helwani’s MMA show on Monday, Faber divulged that he is still being tested by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), and that he was actually offered two fights last year.
Former Team Alpha Male coach Justin Buchholz blames Urijah Faber's 'ego' for gym's struggles
Tom Taylor - March 7, 2019
Last weekend, in the opening bout of the UFC 235 main card, former UFC bantamweight champ Cody Garbrandt experienced his third-straight knockout loss. Justin Buchholz, who used to serve as Garbrandt’s head coach at Team Alpha Male, believes he knows why. Speaking on The TSN MMA Show this week, Buchholz attributed Garbrandt’s latest setback to subpar coaching at the Team Alpha Male.
Urijah Faber has personally encouraged UFC to re-sign free agent Sage Northcutt
Tom Taylor - September 14, 2018
UFC welterweight prospect Sage Northcutt is currently a free agent. While the peppy 22-year-old has said that he hopes the UFC will re-sign him, he’s also said he’d be willing to take his MMA career elsewhere for the right price. Urijah Faber, Sage Northcutt’s coach at Team Alpha Male in Sacramento, California, is hoping it doesn’t come to that. He says he’s personally spoken to the UFC and encouraged them to open their check books to keep the young fighter on the payroll.
Urijah Faber praises YouTuber Logan Paul's ability, discusses possible fight with Sage Northcutt
Tom Taylor - September 12, 2018
Last month, YouTube star Logan Paul competed in a blockbuster boxing match with rival YouTuber KSI. Shortly after this bizarre spectacle, Paul implied interest in competing in MMA — perhaps even the UFC. In the opinion of retired MMA star and Team Alpha Male boss Urijah Faber, Logan Paul might actually have the goods to survive in the UFC.
Urijah Faber discusses Cody Garbrandt's current status after social media shutdowns
Drake Riggs - September 11, 2018
UFC 227 took place just over a month ago and it left us with some great memories. Of course, for multiple fighters involved they’re forgettable memories. Not necessarily however as all losses are learning experiences and surely that’s what the former bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt will do with them after his loss at the event.