With the unfortunate news of yet another injury setback to now former UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz, the UFC has turned to 2013 ‘Fighter of the Year’ candidate Urijah Faber to save the day.
Four times a winner in 2013, Faber had a career year while his chief rival licked his wounds on the sidelines. Just when things looked to be turning the corner for Cruz, a headlining Pay-Per-View title bout only weeks away, fate offered another cruel setback. As if a new injury wasn’t enough, Cruz’ title reign was finally taken off life support, officially crowning Renan Barão as the division’s true champion. What’s more, Cruz has been removed from the promotion’s divisional rankings all together. Not even Faber would wish that run of luck on him.
“I feel for the guy,” Faber said of Cruz to FOX Sports. “We don’t really like each other, but we’ve had some communication throughout the years and I’ve talked to him about this and we still want to fight each other. There’s no doubt, the guy’s too stubborn not to get back on the horse and heal up eventually. I’ll be cheering for him to heal up so I can punch him again.”
As for the matter at hand, Faber isn’t letting the past damper his plans for fighting Barão on short notice. The pair first met for the interim bantamweight title back in Jul. 2012, Barão walking away with the strap and a unanimous decision.
“I think it was a really close fight the last time and barring a few punches and kicks here and there it was an uneventful fight. I’m going to make this fight eventful, I’m going to make it exciting, I’m going to let it all hang out and I know he’s going to do the same,” Faber said. “I’m just going to be a whole different fighter and he’s going to have to be because I’m going to be bringing it.”
UFC 169 takes place Feb. 1 from the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Featherweight champion José Aldo faces Ricardo Lamas in the night’s co-main event.
5 MUST-READ STORIES
Cruz out. In addition to having his title officially renounced by the UFC, Dominick Cruz has also been dropped off the promotion’s bantamweight rankings.
‘Caught cheating.’ Chris Weidman says he’s ready for Vitor Belfrot, TRT or no. “It’s more legit if I’m beating up a juicer, if that’s what you want to consider him.”
Decent proposal. World Series of Fighting wants to hold a winner take all (gate and PPV) event pitting its top talent against that of Bellator.
Tito arrested. Tito Ortiz was arrested Monday morning in California for suspicion of driving under the influence.
‘I’ll stab you with a pen.’ Diego Brandao admits he threatened to stab Dustin Poirier, but that he’s working on self improvement.
It’s Tuesday, so make sure to check out the MMA Hour with Chris Weidman, Siyar Bahadurzada, Luke Rockhold, Reed Kuhn, the author of “Fightnomics,” Matt Serra and Tarec Saffiedine.
MEDIA STEW
Dana breaks the news on Cruz plus an Anderson Silva update.
AXS’ best of 2013.
Highlights from UFC Fight Night 34.
1-5 lightweight Joe Torrez fends off home invaders.
Jim Norton on sitting next to Vitor Belfort at UFC 168. (Go to 17:30)
Fighters on who has influenced them the most in their careers.
EFC’s top submission and KO of 2013.
Long watches.
Knuckle Up #436: Weidman vs Holmes, the Lost Battalion’s call to duty for Silva + UFC Fight Night 34
TWEETS
Twitter reaction from the Cruz/Faber news.
5 UFC fights n 11 mnths. Is that a record? Stay ready u don’t have 2 get ready. @ufc http://t.co/oXk0ru3LVF
— Urijah Faber (@UrijahFaber) January 6, 2014
WWALD “What Wld Abe Lincoln Do!” I’m all about seizing opportunities. Life’s like a box of chocolates @ufc @MetroPCS @AMPEnergy @Torque1net
— Urijah Faber (@UrijahFaber) January 6, 2014
Heart-broke to hear about @TheDomin8r injury. Wanted to see his ACL return fight! Hope the new injury is not in relation. Get well champ 🙂
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) January 6, 2014
Sorry to hear buddy 🙁 I’m always pulling for you @TheDomin8r
— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) January 6, 2014
@UrijahFaber congrats buddy. Good luck.
— Matt Hughes (@matthughes9x) January 6, 2014
Wow @TheDomin8r injury is beyond bad news! Know Dom will only get stronger from this tho. Good luck to @UrijahFaber & @RenanBaraoUFC in Feb.
— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) January 6, 2014
Congrats @urijahfaber on fighting for the belt again. Bring it home!
— Roy Nelson (@roynelsonmma) January 6, 2014
Wow! @UrijahFaber is the freakin man! Dude is like lunch meat…always ready!! #Legend #Champion
— Joseph Benavidez (@JoeJitsu) January 7, 2014
Sucks for Dominick. But Faber taking a fight on 3 weeks notice is gangster.
— Stipe Miocic (@smiocic) January 6, 2014
Dude @UrijahFaber is a legend!!! Title fight in three weeks notice, good thing he’s always ready and in shape. #fighteroftheyear #freak
— TJ Dillashaw (@TJDillashaw) January 7, 2014
Was excited to see Cruz perform again it’s been a while guy can’t catch a break #healup
— Sergio Pettis (@sergiopettis) January 6, 2014
Damn man, feel terrible for Dom Cruz. Could be an interesting fight the way Urijah has been fighting. Hope to see Cruz healthy again.
— Marcelino Evil (@KCBanditMMA) January 6, 2014
Feel for the @TheDomin8r on the injury, was really looking forward to that fight. Heal up champ!
— STORMIN NORMAN PARKE (@norman_parke) January 6, 2014
Cruz is out of #UFC169 and @UrijahFaber is in for a shot at the title shot!
— Claudia Gadelha (@ClaudiaGadelha_) January 6, 2014
Bantamweight champ @TheDomin8r suffered groin injury & out of #UFC169. @RenanBaraoUFC is the official bantamweight champion.
— Claudia Gadelha (@ClaudiaGadelha_) January 6, 2014
How unfortunate for Dominik Cruz. But I’m excited that Uriah Faber’ll b fighting Barao, Uriah’s 1 of my fav fighters! http://t.co/lmBuEHSEd4
— Carla Esparza (@CarlaEsparza1) January 6, 2014
Don’t get me wrong I feel horrible for Cruz and wish he didn’t get injured but fuck man numb it or something and fight it’s been two years
— Cody Bollinger (@CodyBollinger) January 6, 2014
Wow feel bad for @TheDomin8r cant catch a break was lookin forward to his return.But thats awesome @UrijahFaber is getting another shot! !!
— josh hill (@gentlemanjhill) January 6, 2014
Silva in rehab.
Muito obrigado pelo carinho de todos, vou ficar bom eu prometo a vocês que vou .. http://t.co/3nqNAlwkRZ
— Anderson Silva (@SpiderAnderson) January 6, 2014
Congrats.
2014 already looking good 🙂 couldn’t be more excited to make it on @Forbes 30 under 30 http://t.co/T7UG5qCAAI
— Ronda Rousey (@RondaRousey) January 7, 2014
Signed 4 fight deal. Can’t wait to show the world! Thanks @ufc I won’t let you down @EllenbergerMMA @AdamEllenberger pic.twitter.com/nuoj8jFoBm
— Joe Ellenberger (@JoeEllenberger) January 6, 2014
Cub vs. Crusher?
Thank you many answers!!! Answer with @CubSwanson it is often. I want to be a “joker” in the @UFC featherweight.
— ????tatsuya kawajiri (@CRUSHER_MMA) January 7, 2014
@CubSwanson @ufc Because everyone avoid me. Do you fight with me? ?
— ????tatsuya kawajiri (@CRUSHER_MMA) January 7, 2014
Let’s fight in the Octagon of the UFC! !RT @CubSwanson: @CRUSHER_MMA @ufc Yeah come down to my gym Mr Joker
— ????tatsuya kawajiri (@CRUSHER_MMA) January 7, 2014
Send Cowboy some fan mail.
@Cowboycerrone I could use a new truck! Can you also not shoot me?
— isaac vallie-flagg (@IKEVF) January 6, 2014
That’s no Myspace angle.
— Alexander Gustafsson (@AlexTheMauler) January 6, 2014
I still like Pettis in this one.
SHAQ wanted to see what the @UFC is all about!! Lol #heishuge #couldntreachhisfaceonmytiptoes http://t.co/2dvX33qOjz
— Anthony Pettis (@Showtimepettis) January 6, 2014
The old ‘respond to a tweet six weeks later’ trick.
You know you lost, everyone else knows, too. I’ll be seeing you again soon “@jessicaevileye: pic.twitter.com/9G8Ka9PY0v“
— Sarah Kaufman (@mmasarah) January 7, 2014
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Jan. 6 2014)
Dennis Bermudez vs. Jimy Hettes at UFC 171
Jessica Andrade vs. Julianna Pena at UFC 171
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes via queenskid.
Was Anderson Silva really THAT great?
Silva’s reign came to a shocking halt last week, and we may never see him in the octagon again. He is, in many fan’s minds, considered the GOAT. I have a certain amount of respect for what he’s done in his career, but was he really that great? I mean, the level of competition that he’s faced is not even near what other champions faced in more competitive divisions. Look at how stacked the competition is at HW LWH and WW. We get juicy match ups every single time. From the list of fighters that Jon Jones has faced, and the fights for Cain Velasquez. But who has Silva faced that is really that great? I’d say the only one that’s respectable on that list is Dan Henderson. VItor? But that was pre TRT, and pretty boy Rich Franklin wasn’t exactly scaring anyone. Chael Sonnen? Really? Why was he fighting AS or Bone Jones in the first place? Only the MMA gods know that one.
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Check out the rest of the post here.
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