According to former WEC champion Urijah “California Kid” Faber (25-4), despite being in the same weight class it was always a plan for him and fellow Team Alpha Male teammate Chad Mendes (10-0) to fight for a championship title. The plan was for Faber to drop down to 135 lbs, leaving the 145 lb title open for Mendes to take once he was in a position too fight for the belt.
The plan appears to be working out well as the “California Kid” has made the move to bantamweight, recording a 2-0 record and is set to meet UFC champ Dominick Cruz on July 2 at UFC 132. For teammate Mendes, his win over Michihiro Omigawa at UFC 126, keeping his record a perfect 10-0, appears to have earned him the next shot at the featherweight title and it’s champion, Jose Aldo. Although not 100% certain, UFC President Dana White did remark after Aldo’s win at UFC 129, that Mendes would likely be given the next title shot.
Faber talked to the LasVegasSun.com about the plan, as well as having to spend two days alongside Cruz on a public relations trip to Camp Pendleton. You’ll have to hit the link to see what Faber had to say about that trip.
“I told him, ‘Hey dude, in a couple years when you’re ready to take the belt at 145, I’ll be down at 135 and we’ll get them together,’” Faber said, “It’s happened like that. I talked about it and game-planned for it, so it’s pretty cool to see it come together.”
“I think Chad’s a great matchup for Aldo,” Faber said. “He is super durable. He’s never been put in any type of trouble. He’s never been close to being submitted. He’s never been closed to getting knocked out. I feel like Aldo is in the same boat up until recently. These are two guys who are definitely at the top…”
“It was good to see Aldo’s wrestling conditioning,” Faber said. “I don’t think his body is accustomed for high-intensity grappling, especially at a wrestling pace. It’s interesting to look at when you think about Chad.”