UFC 126: Urijah Faber, Chad Mendes and Team Alpha Male Primed for a Big 2011
The unofficial king of the Sacramento, California MMA scene, "The California Kid" Urijah Faber is the top dog in Team Alpha Male.
Consisting of about 20-30 other fighters, Urijah Faber, Chad Mendes, Joseph Benavidez and Danny Castillo lead the charge representing their beloved team inside the famed Octagon of the UFC.
Stating his plans for Team Alpha Male in 2011, Urijah Faber details the future in this video.
Most are familiar with the legacy of Urijah Faber in the WEC. Complimenting Faber's dominance is rising star Chad Mendes of the UFC's featherweight division, who has become a notable force and a threat for the championship. Rounding out Team Alpha Male are fellow UFC competitors Danny Castillo and Joseph Benavidez.
Please follow me as I go in depth with video highlights detailing the fighting abilities of these four UFC stars as they prime Team Alpha Male for a dominant 2011.
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Todd Seyler
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Urijah Faber
1 of 4At 5'6" and 135 pounds, this former WEC champion dominated the featherweight division for more than four years.
With a 24-4 overall record, Faber holds the record for most consecutive title defenses within the WEC with five.
A collegiate wrestler with an aggressive stand-up game, Urijah would lay it all out on the line within the octagon. Always an exciting and unorthodox fighter, Faber's high-level pace during his fights would leave fans speechless and wanting more of the "California Kid".
Because of his success and dominance at 145 pounds, Urijah created a fan following that could not go unnoticed by the WEC and now the UFC, where he fights within the bantamweight division.
He opened the door for many talented fighters, including the current featherweight champion, Jose Aldo.
In addition to his success within the Octagon, Faber is a marketing gem. Good looking, athletic, charismatic and a very gifted ultimate fighter, Urijah's fame and influence has provided him with a variety of large corporate sponsorships, including AMP Energy drink and, most recently, K Swiss.
Scheduled to make his UFC debut at UFC 128 against former bantamweight champion, Eddie Wineland, Faber will look to once again reign supreme in his new weight class.
Chad Mendes
2 of 4Coming off of a decisive victory at UFC 126 over judo black belt, Michihiro Omigawa, Chad "Money" Mendes pushed his undefeated MMA record to 10-0.
Fighting in the feathweight division, Mendes was 4-0 in the WEC and is currently 1-0 for the UFC.
A two time All-American wrestler and Pac-10 Wrestler of the Year at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obisbo, California, Mendes utilizes his tremendous wrestling background to dominate opponents on the ground.
Balanced with a solid stand up game, "Money" has the ability to change levels at a moment's notice and execute extremely powerful take downs opening up Team Alpha Male's signature submission victories.
A rising star within the UFC, Mendes is definitely within the featherweight division title talk.
Joseph Benavidez
3 of 4At 5'4" 135 pounds, Benavidez represents the bantamweight division alongside Urijah Faber for Team Alpha Male.
A wrestler and kickboxer, Benavidez is a match up nightmare for many opponents. Fighting as a southpaw, Joseph is nonstop action inside the Octagon with relentless pace and pressure. Very well rounded, Benavidez's abilities can dominate on his feet and on the mat.
A signature of Team Alpha Male, Joseph Benavidez has utilized the guillotine choke in victories over Miguel Angel Torres and world renowned submission specialist Wagnney Fabiano.
At 13-2 with three knockout victories and eight submission wins, this competitor, who is compared to his Team Alpha Male counterpart Urijah Faber in his fighting style, is the No. 2 bantamweight fighter on the planet.
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Danny Castillo
4 of 4Rounding out the top four fighters of Team Alpha Male, "Last Call" Danny Castillo is 5'9" 155 pounds fighting in the lightweight division.
Also with a wrestling and boxing background, Castillo has earned an overall MMA record of 10-3 with four KO's and four submission victories.
Recently signing a four fight contract with the UFC, Castillo's style is shared with all the members of Team Alpha Male: nonstop, relentless pace, vicious ground and pound, slick submissions and solid stand up abilities.
With tough defeats to both Donald Cerrone and Anthony Pettis while fighting for the WEC, Danny Castillo will look for his first UFC victory in his debut against the seasoned veteran Joe Stevenson on March 3, 2011.
Keep an eye open for this rising lightweight star.
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