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ROUNDTABLE: What does Urijah Faber need to do different from UFC 132 to defeat Dominick Cruz? Hansen, Hyden, Perez, Hobaugh, Pelkey, and Penick
Nov 26, 2011 - 1:00:31 PM
ROUNDTABLE: What does Urijah Faber need to do different from UFC 132 to defeat Dominick Cruz? Hansen, Hyden, Perez, Hobaugh, Pelkey, and Penick
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What will Urijah Faber need to do in order to defeat Dominick Cruz in their trilogy bout, and do you think he can get it done?

RICH HANSEN, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

Keeping in mind that I scored Faber vs. Cruz 2 in favor of Faber 48-47, I don't think he needs to change a whole lot.  Obviously the opinions of those that matter saw things differently, so he does have to do more, of course.  When he does catch Cruz, he needs to hurt Cruz every time.  If Faber is able to make Cruz become tentative and think twice about coming in, the judges should be able to pick up on that.  A couple successful takedowns wouldn't hurt either.  If Faber can spend a good amount of time during two or three of the inevitable five rounds on top, combined with what he did at UFC 132, that could be enough to earn a couple extra points from a couple of the judges.


FRANK HYDEN, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

I think Faber needs to work his submission game, but also be ready with his boxing. Faber needs to capitalize on any and every mistake Cruz makes. He can do it, no question, he just has to jump on any advantage he can get. Faber needs to get Cruz to make that mistake, and the fight can be his. I do think Faber will win this fight by submission in the third or fourth round.


ANWAR PEREZ, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

Urijah Faber has been quite dominant in non-title fights since he lost his featherweight title, but when it comes to title shots, it seems that Faber can't get the job done.  He seems to almost choke and either stick with a game plan that isn't working out the gate, or, he doesn't pull the trigger when need be.  His game plan and a review of his mistakes in the previous fights are the key to victory for Faber.

ERIC HOBAUGH, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

He needs to figure out Cruz's timing and movement and how to land more damaging shots. His inability to land more than one shot at a time the last time they fought was one big reason he lost. Cruz has an extremely hard style to prepare for and fight against. He has also proven he can take a good shot and has amazing cardio. Faber needs a better game plan. Consistent and damaging leg kicks could slow down Cruz and allow Faber to be more successful with his takedowns. Faber could also make better use of his dirty boxing and trap Cruz against the cage. He can inflict more damage and earn more take down attempts if he can do that. If he has a realistic shot at beating Cruz, he MUST get the fight to the ground and use his ground and pound. I like Faber's chance this time. He has seen the new and improved Dominick Cruz and can better prepare for his style now. If he can come up with a better game plan and execute that plan, he will win.


MATT PELKEY, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

Exactly what he did against Brian Bowles. Pinpoint striking, good angles, speed, and that wicked wicked guillotine. This wasn't Jens Pulver Urijah Faber blew through (no offense Lil Evil) Saturday night. This was Brian Bowles: former WEC Bantamweight Champion, whose only career loss was to current champion Dominick Cruz in a fight where he broke his hand. Hell, I still had him as my #2 at 135. I can't make an official pick just yet on the trilogy fight between Faber and Cruz, but I will say that if the Urijah Faber that showed up at UFC 139 shows up against Dominick Cruz, we'll be having a new champion. 


JAMIE PENICK, MMATORCH EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

It comes down to aggression and capitalizing on his opportunities. He hurt Cruz multiple times in their rematch in July, knocking him down on a number of occasions, but he was a bit too cautious and did not engage quick enough to make those knock downs count (for the judges at least). Against Brian Bowles last weekend he was in attack mode throughout the fight. He was fast, aggressive, accurate with his striking, and when he had Bowles on the ropes he amped up that attack. It's going to take that same kind of mindset and that same kind of relentlessness to his attack to take Cruz out. He can't be reckless, but if he's too hesitant he'll allow Cruz to get into rhythm and it will spell another long night.

[Urijah Faber art by Cory Gould (c) MMATorch.com]


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