Bleacher Report’s Dale De Souza:
Even if it meant saving MMA, Dominick Cruz and Urijah Faber could not possibly find it in themselves to like one another.
Ever since Cruz signed his name over Faber’s face at a 2007 signing (and subsequently paid for it at WEC 26), the heat has been on between the two, with Cruz beating Faber’s Team Alpha Male teammate Joseph Benavidez twice as well as another close training partner of Faber’s in Scott Jorgensen.
The trail has led to a rematch with Faber in a bout that is very easy for one to break down, as it once again breaks down to Faber’s wrestling and grappling against Cruz’s striking with cardio being the X-factor in this bout.
Expect this one to be a close fight that may look a little bit like Faber’s fight at times, but expect the champ to pull a few show-stealing moves that ultimately help nab him some of the closer rounds from Faber.
Two judges will give at least one round to Faber, while one judge will look at this fight and ultimately give Cruz all five rounds despite Faber doing well enough to take at least one or two rounds.
Once the unanimous decision is announced and Cruz retains his belt, the cries will commence for a final bout between The Dominator and The California Kid—the score will be evened on Saturday, but it will be far from settled.