There’s been a running joke in the UFC for a while that constant contender Urijah Faber gets more title shots than anybody in the promotion.
In all reality since coming to the UFC from the WEC, Faber has only fought for the bantamweight title twice, but his name remains near the top of the division in a holding pattern always circling around the championship.
Faber has heard all the talk about how he always gets title shots, and even comedian Adam Hunter takes a few fun shots at the former WEC champion whenever championship matchups come up in the UFC.
Faber takes it all in stride and knows that the difference between being a contender and a champion sometimes comes down to how a fighter is feeling on that particular fight day.
“I think it’s just going to be about that day. I’ve been doing a lot of things over the last couple years to continue to improve and the whole sport’s improving. I’ve worked with a lot of different trainers over the years,” Faber told Bleacher Report.
“A lot of people don’t understand with professional fighters that there’s life that happens as well. I’ve had some rough time this last couple years, personal stuff with family and focus here and there being moved or whatever. Things with my sister happening. I’ve got issues just like everyone else in this world.”
Sometimes the world doesn’t know everything that a fighter goes through leading into a fight, but Faber isn’t one to make excuses for any of his past losses. What he does instead is picks himself up, dusts off and gets back in the cage for another challenge.
Most recently, Faber dismantled Ivan Menjivar at UFC 157 and now looks to do the same to his friend and former training partner Scott Jorgensen at the Ultimate Fighter 17 finale in mid-April.
Faber is positive that he will once again land on everyone’s radar about the title shot talk because he’s going to earn another one someday soon, and next time he believes it will be his day.
“I thought I did beat Dominick Cruz. I know it was a close fight, could have gone either way, but I don’t feel like he beat me up and I landed some good punches on him. A couple of takedowns here or there could have been the difference,” said Faber.
“With Renan Barao also, kind of an uneventful fight, and I feel like if I could have done a couple more things or got a takedown here or there, landed a couple more punches or kicks it would have been a difference that way. I know I’m right there, it’s just a matter of making it happen.”
What Faber won’t do is let his own confidence get rattled by any naysayer that complains about his ability to always stay at the top of the division. He knows how to win a championship, and he’s ready to get back there again.
Next time however he promises different results.
“It’s all about continuing to push forward, enjoying what I do and just keep my eye on that prize,” Faber said. “That’s what I’m doing, staying hungry and keeping ready.”
Damon Martin is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report and all quotes were obtained first hand unless otherwise noted.
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