UFC 128 Fight Card: Is Urijah Faber the Greatest Little Man in MMA History?

Nick CaronMar 19, 2011

When the UFC absorbed the WEC to start 2011, it wasn’t because the WEC wasn’t successful. In fact, the promotion can be almost solely thanked for saving the 135-pound and 145-pound divisions in America by creating superstars like Urijah Faber.

There have been other stars at the lower weight classes, but none has transitioned into the mainstream quite as fluidly as “The California Kid.” In a sport that has been traditionally dominated by fighters nearly twice his size, Urijah Faber’s personality and talent have made him a household name.

The Sacramento, CA native made his mixed martial arts debut at Gladiator Challengers 20 in November 2003, a fight he won in less than 90 seconds.

After knocking out his second opponent, Faber went on to win his first MMA championship, the Gladiator Challenge lightweight title. Just five months later, he would go on to win his second title, the King of the Cage Bantamweight Championship.

Though he eventually lost his GC Lightweight Championship to Tyson Griffin, Faber defended his KOTC Bantamweight Championship five times before finally vacating it due to his commitment to World Extreme Cagefighting, which was recently purchased by Zuffa.

The California Kid became the WEC Featherweight Champion in March 2006 when he defeated Cole Escovedo by TKO between the second and third rounds. The win would start what would be the most dominant run a champion ever had in the WEC.

Over the next two years, Faber mowed through the 145-pound division, defending his title five times including victories over Jeff Curran, the legendary Jens Pulver and current UFC Bantamweight Champion, Dominick Cruz. His five consecutive title defenses were a WEC record that would never be broken.

Though he eventually lost his title to Mike Brown in his sixth title defense and a subsequent rematch seven months later, Faber’s legacy had already been secured.

During his run as champion, and even after, Faber was by far the biggest draw in the WEC and the biggest draw in the world under 155 pounds. He was so popular that the company made his next title shot, against new champion Jose Aldo, the main event on the very first WEC pay-per-view.

This monumental moment was highlighted by a huge performance from Jose Aldo, who knocked Faber to the ground repeatedly with thunderous flurries of kicks and punches.

Following the disappointing loss, Faber dropped to 135 pounds where he would go on to submit Takeya Mizugaki in his final WEC appearance. The impressive rear-naked choke finish earned him submission of the night and put the bantamweight division on notice that he was back.

Urijah Faber will make his highly anticipated UFC debut tonight against Eddie Wineland in a fight that he is the favorite to win. Wineland is a tough competitor who brings a four-fight winning streak into the contest but is still a heavy underdog to come out on top.

It has been said that 135 pounds may be the best division for Faber, who spent much of his career fighting at 155 and 145 pounds, but it really doesn’t matter what he does from here on out. A win would be nice, but Urijah Faber’s status as the greatest little man in MMA history is secure.

For now.