UFC 128: Urijah Faber Win Will Set Up Biggest 135lb Title Fight in MMA History

Former WEC featherweight champion Urijah Faber will step into the UFC octagon for the first time on Saturday night against Eddie Wineland.

With the winner likely moving on to challenge Dominick Cruz for the UFC bantamweight title, it's hard to shy away from the crystal ball and avoid a peek into the future.

If Faber walks away the victor on Saturday night, MMA fans should gear up for the biggest bantamweight title fight ever.

Fans may not be familiar with fighters in the lighter weight classes, but most are familiar with Urijah Faber; whether it's his surfer looks or wild-man fighting style, Faber has become a major fan favorite over the years.

As featherweight champion, he mustered five consecutive title defenses, which is the most in WEC history.

He has defeated notable names including Jens Pulver, Bibiano Fernandes, Takeya Mizugaki, Raphael Assuncao and UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz.

Faber and Cruz first met in March 2007 at WEC 26, where Faber retained his featherweight title after catching Cruz with a guillotine choke in the first round.

This was the first and only loss on Cruz's record.

Is that it? Does Faber have Cruz's number?

It was an impressive performance by Faber in their first meeting, but today's Dominick Cruz has blossomed into one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world. Coming off eight straight wins and two consecutive title defenses, Cruz is positioned to make a major run as bantamweight champion.

As the largest MMA promotion in the world, the UFC is all about putting on the best possible fights. The featherweight and bantamweight divisions are arguably the most exciting weight classes in the sport; when you talk about main event blockbusters, it doesn't get any better at 135 pounds than Faber and Cruz.

Fans can dream and debate about a Faber-Cruz rematch until they're blue in the face, but let's not forget about Saturday night. Wineland has the tools to play spoiler and Faber could find himself in a much tougher bout than expected.

Still, a win for Faber would do big things for the bantamweight division. T

he Faber and Cruz rematch could headline a major card and set up the biggest 135 pound title fight in MMA history.

(SportsHaze.com Original)

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