UFC 157 Results: 5 Fights for Urijah Faber to Take Next

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Urijah Faber made very quick work of his UFC 157 opponent, Ivan Menjivar, making him tap to a rear-naked choke at the 4:34 mark of Round 1 last night.

The win puts Faber's career MMA mark at 27-6 (3-2 in UFC).

Where does the 33-year-old Faber go from here? Read on for five possible fights Faber can take.

Michael McDonald

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McDonald is fresh off a loss to Renan Barao in England last week, so the schedule matches up nicely for a meeting with Faber. Most see McDonald as the next big thing at bantamweight even despite his interim title loss, so seeing where he stands against one of the best in the world—a man whose last loss was also to Barao—might make sense.

The only way it doesn't is if the UFC tries to keep such a young, potential-rich prospect away from a possible losing streak so early in his career. If that's the case, Faber may have to look elsewhere for his next challenge.

Raphael Assuncao

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These two met back in the WEC days when they were both featherweights, and both have had some success since jumping to the UFC. It's always interesting to see how guys match up down the line in their careers, especially when the rematch takes place at a different weight class.

Assuncao provides a stiff grappling challenge for Faber, and he hasn't lost since dropping to 135—something Faber can't claim. It's been over three years since they last met, so it could be time to do it again.

Yves Jabouin

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Jabouin is another reformed featherweight, a guy who was having some success at 135 until he ran into the stony hands of Brad Pickett not long ago. That said, he's incredibly flashy and as exciting as anyone in the lower weight classes, so matching him with Faber might provide a particularly unique brand of excitement for fans.

It's a bit of a tough draw for Jabouin coming off a loss, but he's looked so good as a bantamweight otherwise that there's alot to suggest he wouldn't be wildly overmatched. Factor in the aforementioned potential for fireworks and excitement, and this one could work.

Kid Yamamoto

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There was a time, and it wasn't that long ago, that a fight between Faber and Yamamoto was something that appealed in a big way to a lot of MMA fans. Unfortunately, the two were competing in different promotions on different sides of the world, so it wasn't possible.

Now it is.

Sure, Yamamoto isn't what he once was and hasn't won in three tries in the UFC, but it's the name that sells the fight in this case. These two were among the best in the world at their respective weights, and many people would still love to see it go down.

Kid's been off for a year, but giving him Faber on a card in Japan might be exactly what the doctor ordered to give him one last hurrah before he hangs it up.

Brad Pickett/Mike Easton Winner

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This one probably makes the most sense, as Pickett is one of the more prominent names in the division and Easton is a guy on his way up. A win by either sets up a fight with Faber, the true poster boy for the lighter weight classes, and gives someone a chance to rightfully lay claim to a shot at either Renan Barao or Dominick Cruz when the time comes.

Pickett and Easton are booked for UFC on FUEL in April, so Faber won't have to wait long to find out who his next opponent is if the UFC decides to go this route.