URIJAH FABER – REVOLT ’07 COVER FEATURE
Interview By Brian Terhorst
Photos By Bo Cross
NICKNAME: “The California Kid”
WEIGHT CLASS: Featherweight
AGE: 28
HEIGHT: 5-6
WEIGHT: 145
BIRTHPLACE: Isla Vista, CA
FIGHTING OUT OF: Sacramento, CA
STYLE: MMA
STRENGTHS: Excellent submissions, strong takedowns, and
lightning-fast hand speed
TRAINING: He owns and operates Ultimate Fitness in Sacramento.
Ultimate Fitness is a 8600 sq. ft, training facility. He
trains six days a week with a focus on conditioning, boxing,
kickboxing, wrestling and Jiu-Jitsu.
PROFESSIONAL MMA RECORD: 19-1
Back in February of 06’ I had the privelege of interviewing the Featherweight Champion as he was about to enter the Octagon with Dominick Cruz. I found him to be as mellow and easygoin’ as any one of my SD friends… yet I knew that once inside the ring, there was no stopping this guy.
We spoke about his loss against Tyson Griffin and the 7 staples they stuck in his head. He spoke of his free-loving parents and his deep admiration for them. At the close of the interview I felt as though I had met an exceptional guy. He went on to defeat Dominick a minute thirty into the 1st round. After that Chance Farrar had the misfortune of stepping into the ring opposite Urijah and he took care of business in a similar fashion.
Rear Naked Choke… Laaater!
With technique, tenacity, and charisma, Sacramento’s Urijah Faber , has proven time and time again, why he is considered one of the brightest young stars in MMA today. Faber captured the WEC title in March of 2006
with a decisive second round stoppage of Cole Escovedo. Since then, he has continued to dominate the division, defending his crown with first round wins over Joe Pearson, Dominic Cruz, and Chance Farrar. But on Dec. 12, he will take on his toughest opponent yet in Jeff Curran.
Photography courtesy of Bo Cross
A few weeks ago I got a call from Loren Mack, the guy behind the scenes at WEC and formerly the UFC. He was going to fly Urijah in to shoot the cover of Revolt. I knew this was going to be big, but I couldn’t help myself, “Can we get a Ring Girl too?” Loren came through as he always does and we have one of my favorite covers ever and a great story about the day we spent with the World Champ and Christy, two of the more colorful people we’ve met.
The duo showed up at Lava Fitness Center in La Mesa and Bo Cross and the Revolt Crew met them with a truckload of lights and cameras, the rest is history. These are some of the coolest shots I’ve seen of a Champion fighter and a Worldclass Ring Girl.
Q&A with Urijah Faber
Revolt In Style: When and why did you start training for fighting?
I’ve always had a passion for fighting. I started wrestling in the 8th grade and have never stopped. I began training in MMA in 2003 after graduating from UC Davis.
RIS: What ranks and titles have you held?
WEC Featherweight Champion
RIS: Do you have any heroes?
My parents
RIS: What is your favorite technique?
I like to try to invent new techniques. My favorite moves come from the moment.
RIS: What does it mean for you to fight in the WEC?
I feel like I finally found a home. Up to this point, no large organizations have been willing to showcase the lighter weight classes. This is unfortunate as some of the most exciting fighters in the world are in the lighter
weight classes. The WEC presents a major opportunity not only for myself, but all 145 and 135 pounders to showcase their talent. I truly believe the WEC will be the premier organization in the near future.
RIS: Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn?
I have a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California, Davis.
RIS: What was your job before you started fighting?
I was a student at UC Davis and began fighting professionally shortly after graduation. I also coached wrestling at UC Davis while beginning my MMA career.
