Roundtables
ROUNDTABLE: After UFC 149 loss, can Urijah Faber work back to a title fight?
Jul 27, 2012 - 1:20:28 PM

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Considering the relatively weak field in the bantamweight division, can Urijah Faber work back to one more title fight, or is he done as a title challenger?


RICH HANSEN, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

If there is a God, he won't get another title shot. He's 0-5 in his last five title fights, and he's 0-4 in his last title fights as a challenger. I understand that 135 is lacking of star power, and that Dominick Cruz has, um, cruised? through most of the bantamweight division, but Faber's time has to be done. Even if he's the biggest name available, he's in Jon fitch/Chael Sonnen times a million territory now, no?


FRANK HYDEN, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

I think he can, but it's highly unlikely. Faber would have to rip off a string of decisive victories in order to earn another title shot. Faber finds himself in the same position as a team that gets bounced out of the first round of the playoffs every year. He's just good enough to get to a title shot, but not good enough to win it. Unfortunately for Faber, there's no draft to help him.


ANWAR PEREZ, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

It's Urijah Faber. He's the B.J. Penn, Chuck Liddell, and Randy Couture of his respective division. He's a talented fighter regardless of age or opportunity, and with as weak of a division as bantamweight already is, don't be surprised to see Faber challenge at least once more. Many other fighters were granted opportunities past what some considered their prime or chances gone by, and Faber will be the same. He'll get another shot.


GRIFFIN MARSH, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

Oh Urijah can always put together a win streak and be mentioned for a title shot. I personally think he's more of a top tier gatekeeper, and I do not see him ever winning a UFC title.


ERIC HOBAUGH, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

Urijah Faber is still easily one of the best fighters in the world at 135. In fact, he is realistically the third best bantamweight. The trouble with this ranking is Renan Barao and Dominick Cruz are on another level than Faber and the rest of the fighters in the division. I think he will indeed make another run, because he can beat the rest of the top ten in the division. If he can put together two more wins against top ten fighters, he will get his shot. Honestly, I feel like his game is not evolving and he will not be able to defeat Barao or Dominick. He is 32 years old and is at the back end of his career. Much like Rich Franklin, he is now a well known fighter never again to realistically threaten for a title.


BRAD WALKER, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

I absolutely believe that Faber can make his way back to a title fight. He is a very solid veteran who has defeated numerous top fighters, but only performed poorly in fights that really have a belt on the line. You can make the argument that he should still fight Cruz but he needs to go out there and defeat a Brad Pickett or a Brian Bowles again to even get within 1 fight of another title shot, it's not going to be immediate but I do wholly believe that he will be able to make his way back into a title fight and with any luck he won't lose it again.


JASON AMADI, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

There is no doubt in my mind that Urijah Faber is going to continue ruining good fighters and challenging for championships that he won't win. I've been saying for years now that Bellator really hurts the UFC's ability to promote the featherweight and bantamweight divisions.

There just isn't a solid mid-tier to the bantamweight division. Urijah Faber really and truly deserves as many title shots as he gets at 135 because he's that much better than everyone but the other top two guys. He soundly defeated Eddie Wineland, he wiped the floor with Brian Bowles and he strangled Takeya Mizugaki into one of the scariest states of unconsciousness we've ever seen in MMA.

He's going to continue beating up on guys and it won't even take him all that long to get back into title contention at 135.

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