Roundtables
ROUNDTABLE: Can Urijah Faber defeat Dominick Cruz or Renan Barao in a UFC Title rematch in 2014?
Dec 19, 2013 - 10:05:20 PM ROUNDTABLE: Can Urijah Faber defeat Dominick Cruz or Renan Barao in a UFC Title rematch in 2014?

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Urijah Faber has clearly earned another title fight in the bantamweight division. Do you think on the run he's on that he can beat either Dominick Cruz or Renan Barao to capture that title?


RICH HANSEN, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

You know, I'm just about the only writer that I know who gave the second fight between Faber and Cruz to Urijah Faber. I think he's got the best killer instinct in the sport, or at least in the Shelbyweight Division. He also has the best sense of when to go for the finish I've ever seen, as well as knowing when and how to discern between submission or strikes for the finish. He's bred to fight, and that is a fact that is concealed by his tan, his smile, and his butt-chin (credit AZ). However, if Dominick Cruz defeats Renan Barao (and I give Cruz a higher percentage chance than most observers give him), I think Cruz absolutely should be given the role of favorite against Faber. It's been a couple years since I last watched the rematch, and I readily admit my scoring of that razor-close decision could be different now.

With all that said though, Faber is more likely to face an ever-improving monster named Renan Barao. And if we're looking at Barao-Faber 2 this summer, I can't think of anything that would go differently in the rematch, short of Barao actually having improved by leaps and bounds since their first bout.


CAMERON LYMAN, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

Faber looks unstoppable when there is no belt on the line. UFC gold has evaded him thus far, and he seems to be primed to capture it. However, the three round version of Faber will have to show up in order to achieve that.


ALVIN CARTER, MMATORCH SPECIALIST

Faber can capture the title from either, but it would probably be easier to beat Dominick Cruz this time around. Faber's striking game has increased. The number of combinations he throws might help him out point a back pedaling Cruz (if that is still his style). I think a smart performance from Faber could also land him the belt in a rematch with Renan Barao, but he would have to be careful when going for a takedown that is not off the fence. This very well could be Faber's time, and if it is not I can still see another run in him. He has the Florian situation at the moment where he comes up short when it is for the title but fans love to watch him fight. If he can break that he could be one of the the biggest stars in the UFC. His star power could even exceed Jon Jones just based on the fact more people seem to like Faber in general.


FRANK HYDEN, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

I think he can beat Cruz, I don't know about Barao. Faber has been really impressive, though, so I can't doubt him. What he's been able to do has been amazing. He took Michael McDonald out, and McDonald is really tough. Faber's experience and hunger is turning him into an even better fighter than he was before. Whether it's Cruz or Barao, they're in for an extremely tough fight.


BRAD WALKER, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

Faber is aged. Faber is old school. And scary as it is, Faber is still evolving. He can defeat either man on the right day and capture the gold. After his last couple of bouts I am certainly not comfortable very much with betting against him. He's a fortunate man to have his skill set and one day he may just become a UFC Champion.


KALE HAVERVOLD, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

It's a title fight, so if recent history tells us anything, no. I can see him perhaps beating Cruz if he retains his belt, but if it's Barao, I see Faber getting beat again, even worse this time.


ALEX WILLIAMS, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

Urijah Faber is the Oscar de la Hoya of MMA. He is popular (albeit not nearly at de la Hoya's level) and able to beat almost anyone he faces, but not quite good enough to beat an elite opponent. Don't bet on him to win a rematch versus the winner of Dominick Cruz vs Renan Barao.


TONY BECERRA, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

Faber looked great Saturday night, absolutely smashing a very talented fighter. Faber is one of the best in the division right now and I think he will come in with an effective game plan in a rematch with either Barao or Cruz and win UFC gold.


DAN MOORE, MMATORCH UK COLUMNIST

I think he's capable of beating Dominick Cruz again, but I have serious reservations regarding his chances against Renan Barao. At this level though, anyone can beat anyone and whoever wins the title fight at UFC 169, will know they have another incredibly tough opponent in Faber to come.

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