7 Things You Need To Know About Urijah Faber
Published: Jun 2, 2007
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World Extreme Cagefighting featherweight champion Urijah Faber (18-1) will fight Chance Farrar (5-0) on Sunday at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. The preview show will begin at 8 p.m., and the fight card will be aired live on Versus at 9.
1. FABER COULD MAKE THE MAKE WEC POPULAR: The Ultimate Fighting Championship has a lock on mixed martial arts in the U.S., but the WEC hopes to make its own mark with Faber. The league will focus on lighter fighters, who often provide more action and excitement. The WEC has a 135-pound division, and Faber is expected to be its ruler, but the league does have heavyweights.
2. A BAR FIGHT MISMATCH: If you saw Faber in a bar and made fun of him for his small stature, it would definitely be last call, but for all the wrong reasons. Of Faber's 18 victories, eight are by knockout, eight are by submission and two are by decision. His strengths are submissions, takedowns and hand speed.
3. WHAT'S IN A NAME? The most important thing for any MMA fighter, outside of skill, is the nickname. Names such as "Teddy Bear" and "Urkel" do not have the same ring as "Killa" and "Bone Crusher." Faber's original nickname was "Relentless," but when he looked at his blond hair and laid-back attitude, he renamed himself "The California Kid."
4. HE CAN GROUND AND POUND BOOKS: The 28-year-old hit the books hard to graduate with a bachelor of science degree in human development from the University of California-Davis. He wrestled in college, was the school's all-time winner, and qualified twice for the national tournament. Faber was an assistant coach at UC-Davis before starting his MMA career in 2003.
5. NO HMO OR PPO NEEDED: When Faber needs pain relief, or is getting sick, he reaches in the medicine cabinet for something guaranteed to help - vitamins. Faber comes from a holistic upbringing, meaning he does not take any medicine, but relies on natural herbs and a strict diet. He has never eaten fast, or processed, food, and his ideal meal is mom's homemade salad, fruits, vegetables, a fruit smoothie and popcorn. A night at a Middle Eastern, Thai, Vietnamese or Japanese restaurant is a treat.
6. DRIVER, ANYWHERE BUT BALI: Faber's experience in Bali, an island in Indonesia, 1 1/2 years ago is comparable to a Hollywood action movie, but so outlandish it has to be true. He went by himself to a nightclub, and after a patron stared Faber down, pushed him and wanted to fight, they met outside to battle. Faber was attacked by several people, eventually hit with brass knuckles, a rock and bottle. He ran into the club, covered in blood, and was attacked by 12 people, including the bouncers. He eventually ran down the street, was chased and had to fight in a store, before running away and fleeing the scene in a taxi. Seven stitches in the head later, Faber returned home.
7. WHAT MAMA DON'T KNOW WON'T HURT: Faber was unsure what his mother's reaction would be when he began competing in MMA, so he didn't tell her. He waited until after his first fight, and started the conversation with "Hey, I just made $600 in 45 seconds." Suzanne Tastad, his mother, told him not to do it again, and although he agreed, Faber fought three months later. Mom finally is at ease watching him fight on television, but refuses to watch him fight in person.
Reporter Anwar S. Richardson can
be reached at (813) 259-8425 or
