LAS VEGAS – Alex Caceres decided to aim high a couple months back and call out popular Urijah Faber for a fight.
Faber was only too happy to oblige, and Saturday night the veteran taught the upstart a few lessons. “The California Kid” rebounded from his loss to then-bantamweight champion Renan Barao in February and defeated Caceres at UFC 175 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center.
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A rear-naked choke submission give the former WEC featherweight champ the win at 1:09 of the third round.
“He’s very tough, he was on a five-fight win streak,” said Faber. “I’m ranked No. 2, he’s ranked No. 12. That’s not too far off. I take these fights seriously.”
Faber set the tone in the first round by winning the positional battle, scoring takedowns and working from top position.
In the second, a game Caceres had his moments, including popping the 35-year-old Faber with a sweet uppercut. But Faber stuck to his game plan and controlled most of the round, including a nasty judo throw.
In the third, Caceres came out swinging and Faber went for the kill, scoring a takedown and swiftly working into position for the RNC. Caceres tapped to give Faber his 18th career submission win.
“Enough pressure, he’s going to make a mistake,” said Faber, who has won his past 10 straight non-title fights. “He’s a young guy, I kept up the pressure and he made a mistake.”
Caceres dropped to 10-6 (1 NC) with the loss.