Tag: UFC 149

UFC 149 Fight Card: Can Urijah Faber Become a Champion Again?

It’s been almost four full years since Urijah Faber lost his WEC title to Mike Brown at WEC 36. Despite being arguably the most popular fighter in the world under 170 pounds, Faber has been unsuccessful time and time again when he’s tried t…

It’s been almost four full years since Urijah Faber lost his WEC title to Mike Brown at WEC 36.

Despite being arguably the most popular fighter in the world under 170 pounds, Faber has been unsuccessful time and time again when he’s tried to get his hands back on a belt, and he may be down to his final opportunity this weekend.

When Urijah Faber fights Renan Barao this weekend not only will the UFC’s interim bantamweight belt be on the line, but Faber’s legacy will be seriously affected as well.

If there’s one thing a fighter never wants to become, it’s the guy that can’t win the big one.

High profile fighters like Kenny Florian and Jon Fitch have had their excellent careers tarnished by their inability to earn a UFC title, and if he’s not careful Faber could end up being the biggest name to have the dishonor of gracing that list.

After losing to Brown back in November of 2008, Faber has earned himself a respectable 5-3 record in the WEC/UFC but all three of those losses have come in title fights, and you have to think the UFC would be reluctant to put “The California Kid” in another championship bout if he falls short against Barao this Saturday.

Luckily for Faber, he may have the tools to pull off the victory over Barao.

Since joining the WEC in June of 2010 Barao has looked dominant, taking out tough competitors in Chris Cariaso, Brad Pickett and most recently Scott Jorgenson in route to his shot at a UFC belt, but he has never fought a fighter with the caliber of skills that Faber possesses.

Barao’s 29 fight unbeaten streak is impressive, as is his ability to finish a fight, but has his level of competition really been good enough to prepare him for Faber?

Pickett and Jorgenson are tough, but Faber is on the next level in the bantamweight division and it could result in a long night for Barao.

Will Faber ever win a UFC title?

Realistically, Urijah Faber still has the skills to be the best fighter in the world at 135 pounds. He took Dominick Cruz to the limit back at UFC 132, and he has an excellent chance at beating anyone in the division anytime he steps inside the Octagon.

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Gallery: 11 GIFs of Urijah Faber Being Awesome


(All he needs are some tasty waves and a cool buzz, and he will kill anybody who tries to get in his way. / Photo via Sherdog)

In honor of Urijah Faber‘s interim bantamweight title bid at UFC 149, we thought it would be a good time to give the California Kid some love, through the magical medium of MMA GIFs. Check ’em out some of our favorite Faber moments after the jump, and let us know if you think he’ll be picking up a new belt this weekend — or if he’ll go out in a blaze of glory.


(All he needs are some tasty waves and a cool buzz, and he will kill anybody who tries to get in his way. / Photo via Sherdog)

In honor of Urijah Faber‘s interim bantamweight title bid at UFC 149, we thought it would be a good time to give the California Kid some love, through the magical medium of MMA GIFs. Check ‘em out some of our favorite Faber moments after the jump, and let us know if you think he’ll be picking up a new belt this weekend — or if he’ll go out in a blaze of glory.


(Props to ZombieProphet)

UFC 149: If Hector Lombard Wins, Does He Deserve a Title Shot?

The middleweight division has been ruled over by Anderson Silva for quite some time, and the MMA world tends to get frustrated when no viable challengers are perceptively present.Because of the divergence of criteria over what constitutes a title shot,…

The middleweight division has been ruled over by Anderson Silva for quite some time, and the MMA world tends to get frustrated when no viable challengers are perceptively present.

Because of the divergence of criteria over what constitutes a title shot, it’s hard for fans to come up with a universal solution of who should fight Silva next. 

It is an issue that has plagued the division for some time now, and a question that is asked by the commentators and fans alike: Who can stop that guy? There is always a conflict over who is deserving of the next shot, and now with Silva’s greatest rival vanquished, people are itching to know who is next in line. 

Probably the most interesting prospect is Bellator champion, Hector Lombard. “Lightning” will be making his UFC debut against Tim Boetsch at UFC 149; a matchup that will help shape the contender status of the middleweight division.

Lombard is not some ordinary fighter who had a couple of good-looking fights and now has come over; he brings with him a statistical behemoth that is making his case for a chance to stomp “The Spider.”

Hector Lombard is currently 31-2-1 (1). He has been fighting for eight years now, and his only losses came to him in 2006.

Since then, he has accumulated a monstrous 24-fight win streak and a few championship titles along the way. Out of his 31 fights, 24 of them he has finished. He is a well-rounded fighter, and has proven he can end a fight early. 

But do all of these numbers on paper merit a title shot? 

Given the history of the UFC, the promotion juggernaut is not opposed to giving outside big-namers a quick path to the title shot. Usually they will have them take one fight prior to acclimate them and to prove themselves. They did this with Jake Shields and Alistair Overeem, and it may very well happen with Lombard. 

If Lombard wins over Boetsch, he all but secures a title shot based on the history of the business. If it is a split decision, it may be another story; but a decisive win would make a huge statement.

Not only that, but the marketing and business drive behind putting a finisher on a 25-fight win streak against the greatest in the world is a substantial money-maker. Both Silva and Lombard haven’t lost since 2006, and something has to give. 

The argument against Lombard however, overlooks the numbers and looks at quality over quantity. With a 24-fight win streak, some fans do not believe he has fought anyone of any sort of caliber found in the UFC. People’s opinions of quality of opponents differ, but based on that logic, Lombard would have to prove himself a little more before he gets his shot. 

But sometimes all it takes it one really great win to change people’s minds. 

Before the Munoz vs. Weidman fight, not many people were rallying behind Weidman like they have for Mark Munoz who has been in the MMA scene longer. Not to say Weidman didn’t have his fame, but after the dominant performance he had against Munoz, it seems his name has been thrown into the hat for title shot consideration. 

If Lombard can go out and knockout or submit Boetsch early, one would speculate you will see a demand for Lombard to face Silva next. Winning by unanimous decision after a dominating performance would have a similar effect, but it is better if Lombard can finish it early, or at all. 

Stylistically, it is an interesting matchup. Paired with it, it’s hard to deny the intrigue behind two men with such fantastic statistical numbers. The marketing is obvious, and both men are champions. It all boils down to how fans feel about Lombard’s deserving qualities, or if he has any at all. 

At the end of the day, the UFC will always try to look at it fiscally, as well as trying to be crowd-pleasing. We will have to wait and see what comes out of UFC 149, but if Lombard emerges victorious, you can bet on a strong rally for him to challenge the pound-for-pound king.  

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UFC 149: Faber vs. Barao — Extended Video Preview

(Props: YouTube.com via IronForgesIron)

The UFC’s summer schedule marches on this Saturday with UFC 149: Faber vs. Barao, the promotion’s injury-ravaged Calgary debut. Here’s the full-length video trailer for the event, which is especially worth watching if you’re not too familiar with Renan Barao, the Brazilian bantamweight on the 28-fight win streak who’s battling Urijah Faber in the main event. Barao is the kind of deadly-from-all-positions phenom who seems destined for a major title someday, and collecting the interim bantamweight strap with a big win over the California Kid would be a star-making moment for the Nova União product.

Later in the preview, the UFC introduces y’all newbs to Hector Lombard, but unfortunately they can’t show any of his stunning Bellator knockouts, so we have to settle for training footage and subtitled English. He’ll be facing Tim Boetsch, who says he’ll be next in line for the middleweight title after he finishes Lombard. (Sorry bro, Weidman already called dibs.)

Finally, we get a look at injury replacement Shawn Jordan, who trainer Greg Jackson calls “one of the most athletic heavyweights I’ve ever seen in my life.” For proof, check out the backflip he does at 7:23. Jordan is riding back-to-back second-round stoppage wins against Lavar Johnson in Strikeforce and Oli Thompson in his UFC debut. But is veteran striker Cheick Kongo too much, too soon? And are you guys going to buy this card or what? Shoot us your UFC 149 thoughts in the comments section.


(Props: YouTube.com via IronForgesIron)

The UFC’s summer schedule marches on this Saturday with UFC 149: Faber vs. Barao, the promotion’s injury-ravaged Calgary debut. Here’s the full-length video trailer for the event, which is especially worth watching if you’re not too familiar with Renan Barao, the Brazilian bantamweight on the 28-fight win streak who’s battling Urijah Faber in the main event. Barao is the kind of deadly-from-all-positions phenom who seems destined for a major title someday, and collecting the interim bantamweight strap with a big win over the California Kid would be a star-making moment for the Nova União product.

Later in the preview, the UFC introduces y’all newbs to Hector Lombard, but unfortunately they can’t show any of his stunning Bellator knockouts, so we have to settle for training footage and subtitled English. He’ll be facing Tim Boetsch, who says he’ll be next in line for the middleweight title after he finishes Lombard. (Sorry bro, Weidman already called dibs.)

Finally, we get a look at injury replacement Shawn Jordan, who trainer Greg Jackson calls “one of the most athletic heavyweights I’ve ever seen in my life.” For proof, check out the backflip he does at 7:23. Jordan is riding back-to-back second-round stoppage wins against Lavar Johnson in Strikeforce and Oli Thompson in his UFC debut. But is veteran striker Cheick Kongo too much, too soon? And are you guys going to buy this card or what? Shoot us your UFC 149 thoughts in the comments section.

UFC 149: Urijah Faber’s 12 Memorable Moments in His Career

Former WEC featherweight champion Urijah Faber is still considered by some to be the greatest 145-pound fighter in MMA history, but “The California Kid” remains in search of his first UFC title.On Saturday, Faber will get his second…

Former WEC featherweight champion Urijah Faber is still considered by some to be the greatest 145-pound fighter in MMA history, but “The California Kid” remains in search of his first UFC title.

On Saturday, Faber will get his second crack at UFC gold in the form of an interim title bout with rising bantamweight star Renan Barao.

When Faber reigned over the featherweight division, the UFC did not host 145-pound bouts. Only recently have competitors under that weight been given the opportunity to compete inside the Octagon, so the 33-year-old Faber is trying to make a late-career push to add that previously unattainable UFC belt to his mantle.

For those who may not have followed MMA outside of the UFC during his glory years, let’s take a look back at the most memorable moments in Faber’s illustrious career.

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UFC 149: Tim Boetsch vs Hector Lombard Head-to-Toe Breakdown

The UFC takes the Octagon to Calgary this weekend, with the co-main event being an important middleweight scrap between former Bellator champ Hector Lombard and Tim Boetsch. This fight may provide a top contender in the division, along with recent winn…

The UFC takes the Octagon to Calgary this weekend, with the co-main event being an important middleweight scrap between former Bellator champ Hector Lombard and Tim Boetsch. This fight may provide a top contender in the division, along with recent winner Chris Weidman.

It’s an intriguing style matchup, as both men are very well-rounded. It will be interesting to see who will come out on top of this chess match.

Here’s a head-to-toe breakdown of how these two match up.

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