Roundtables
ROUNDTABLE: Predictions for UFC 132's main event between Dominick Cruz and Urijah Faber - Hansen, Hyden, Amadi, Hobaugh, Park, Williams, Pelkey and Penick
Jul 2, 2011 - 10:30:54 AM ROUNDTABLE: Predictions for UFC 132's main event between Dominick Cruz and Urijah Faber - Hansen, Hyden, Amadi, Hobaugh, Park, Williams, Pelkey and Penick

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How will the rematch between Dominick Cruz and Urijah Faber play out at UFC 132?


RICH HANSEN, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

Cruz's speed is something that Faber hasn't seen in a long time.  Cruz is vastly improved from the green kid he was in 2007, and I would be very surprised if he doesn't stick and move his way to a decision victory in which he takes little or no damage from Faber.

FRANK HYDEN, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

I think Cruz comes out ready to bring it to Faber, but I think Faber is going to be too much for Cruz. I think Urijah gets the submission win sometime in the third round or so. I just think Faber is too well-rounded for Cruz. I think moving back to bantamweight was a great move for Faber.

JASON AMADI, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

Dominick Cruz will enjoy a reach advantage, a probable speed advantage, an advantage in terms of striking, and good enough defensive wrestling to keep the fight standing. 

Urijah Faber is a stud and will probably smash every other fighter at 135 or 145 pounds, 
but Dominick Cruz has just put together a style that is beyond what Faber can deal with at this point. It has nothing to do with a decline, it has nothing to do with aging, Dominick Cruz is just a significantly better fighter than he was four years ago, and Urijah Faber isn’t.

ERIC HOBAUGH, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

Both of these fighters are very different from when they first fought in March, 2007. Cruz's hard to catch style is difficult to figure out. He is hard to hit and does not take too many big shots. Faber has lost not only his title, but has lost three times since their first fight.  His overall game, however, has improved. That juxtaposition is due to the fact all fighters have raised their game in the last four years. I feel this fight goes to a razor close decision with Faber winning.

CHRIS PARK, MMATORCH UK SPECIALIST

I believe that Urijah Faber thinks he will have his way with Dominick Cruz and that he will finish him. I disagree. Faber can daydream about their first encounter all he wants but this is a different beast that he faces on Saturday.

Look at Matt Hughes vs. Georges St Pierre. Their second fight told a very different story and so will this. I think Faber will struggle to keep hold of the majorly evolved Cruz and his elusive movement and speed will make this a very long night for Urijah Faber.

ALEX WILLIAMS, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

Dominick Cruz outpoints Urijah Faber.  I'm a Faber fan and pulling for him to win, but I think Cruz has improved too much since their first fight, and Faber may be just past his prime.  Before watching the UFC Countdown show, I had no idea how little formal training Cruz had before their first bout.

MATT PELKEY, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

My gut says it'll look pretty similar to Cruz's last handful of fights. He's really perfected his craft in the last couple years, and, barring Faber landing a big punch or snatch Cruz's neck early, I expect Cruz to out-dance, out-box, and out-wrestle Faber to another decision and another successful title defense.

JAMIE PENICK, MMATORCH EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

The key for Faber is to find a way to close the distance on Cruz and get this fight to the ground, without allowing Cruz to dictate the pace of the striking. Faber is hard to hit, and can absolutely hang on the feet with Cruz in this fight, but his best weapons come in his submission game. If he can force Cruz to the ground - something that both Benavidez and Jorgensen were unable to do - then this is absolutely a fight he can win. The speed factor is a little worrisome, but I think Faber gets this fight to the ground and finds Cruz's neck or one of his limbs and walks out of Las Vegas the UFC Bantamweight Champion.