Urijah Faber vs. Ivan Menjivar: Full Fight Technical Breakdown

Sometimes rematches are necessary. For instance, when Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard battled to a draw at UFC 125, fans wanted a more satisfying conclusion to the incredible fight they had just witnessed. 

However, some rematches take place several years later, not because there is overwhelming demand, but simply because paths ended up crossing once again.

In the case of Urijah Faber vs. Ivan Menjivar II, the latter scenario is most reflective of the events leading up to UFC 157's clash of bantamweights.

The action began quickly, as most bantamweight fights do. After a brief exchange of hooks, Faber instigated a clinch, but was forced to pay for it almost instantly when Menjivar utilized a judo throw to get this fight to the mat.

Faber out-muscled his foe and rolled over into top position with little resistance. With Menjivar on his back, Faber had side control and looked to rain down elbows, but lost position.

Menjivar regained guard and worked diligently to find a submission from the bottom to no avail. Faber began throwing heavy elbows once again and they landed flush.

Faber was forced back to his feet and dealt with the threatening upkicks of his opponent while trying to re-enter guard, which he did successfully.

With little less than a minute left on the clock, Menjivar was able to push Faber away before returning to his feet. However, Faber was quick to pounce and locked up a standing crucifix position on Ivan's back.

It looked as if Menjivar was trying to point Faber's head downward before dropping into a nasty slam. Instead, Faber acted quickly and transitioned to a body triangle from behind and forced his opponent to carry all the weight.

Menjivar fought the hands for a moment, but "The California Kid" would not be denied the rear-naked choke that he was looking for.

The official stoppage came at 4:34 into the first round, and Urijah Faber is once again back to his winning ways.

What's next for the most famous member of Team Alpha Male? If history tells us anything, we will be force-fed another undeserved title shot for a fighter who has lost almost half of his last 11 contests.

Maybe matchmaker Joe Silva will make Faber put together multiple wins inside the Octagon before giving him a third title fight in two years. 

Could a matchup with Scott Jorgensen be in the cards? Perhaps a rematch with a surging Rafael Assuncao is in order. What about a potential return to featherweight? Who knows? 

The only thing that is clear after this one-sided bullying is that Urijah Faber is one of the best bantamweights alive.