U. Faber opened the doors to a new return to the Octagon. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook UrijahFaber
With more than 40 fights over more than 15 years of career, Urijah faber He still doesn't seem to be completely satisfied. Without fighting since December 2019, the “California Kid” revealed that, with the public returning to the arenas, he is willing to return to the Ultimate Octagon.
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“I definitely wasn’t intending to go back during this whole shutdown around the world. At that time, I still had a baby on the way and a newborn. I fight because I love it, because the whole experience is great. Without an audience, I definitely wouldn't fight. Now that the fans are back, I don’t rule it out,” said Faber in an interview with The Schmo channel.
In 2016, after defeating Brad pickett by unanimous decision, Urijah faber announced that he was retiring to focus on his coaching career and other projects. Three years later, however, he turned around and returned to the octagon by knocking out the promising Ricky Simons. After that, in December 2019, he ended up defeated by the Russian Petr yan and since then has given no indication that he would fight again.
Faber's retirement, however, did not stop his opponents from continuing to challenge him. Among several challenges, one name caught the “California Kid”’s attention: Marlon Vera.
“I heard maybe seven or eight guys who challenged me, asked to fight me, some respectfully, others not so much. Chito Vera is one of those guys. It would be an interesting duel. It's funny, the whole thing that happened between him and song yadong. He was outraged by that fight. Backstage he and his team were grumbling and I told them they could face each other again. Then he asked, 'Why don't you fight me?'. I asked him if he didn't want to face Song again and he mumbled some excuses but didn't say anything about Song. This would be a good fight for me, Chito Vera”, said Faber.
Marlon Vera faced song yadong, partner of Urijah faber on Team Alpha Male and was defeated in a unanimous decision that outraged the Ecuadorian and his team. Since then, Vera has constantly challenged Faber. The “California Kid” stated that he needs time to regain his rhythm, but that if the UFC wants him, he is willing to return.
“If I'm going to compete, I need to get into Rocky mode, which would take a few months, but I'm not opposed to getting in a good old-fashioned straight fight. It's fun, I get money, it's part of my passion, so I don't rule it out. I need to sit down with Sean Shelby and Dana White and see if they think it's a good idea to go back there,” concluded Faber.
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