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Home , Don Frye, King of the Cage, Mike Brown (fighter), Randy Couture, Team Alpha Male, Tyson Griffin

URIJAH FABER

From Kid to Kingof California The fighting pride of Sacramento relaxes atop his empire. By Danny Acosta

PHOTO LANDRY MAJOR

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Star Power Two particular fans signaled to Faber his legacy as The California Kid. The first occurred when—18 years after he had his first kiss to Under the Bridge by the Red Hot Chili Peppers—rock legend Anthony Kiedis complimented Faber on his fighting ability. The second? Summoning his best gravel voice, Faber reveals one of the first mo- ments he felt like a superstar: “Hey,” said to Faber at a 2006 , “I’m honored to fight with The California Kid.”

Urijah works the heavy bag at his gym, Ultimate Fitness, in Sacramento California. PHOTO LANDRY MAJOR

Urijah Faber is a natural born world-shaker. The former World Extreme Cagefighting Featherweight Cham- pion catches sun on a bushy downtown Sacramento street, sitting on a wood stool in front of the epicenter of his em- pire—Ultimate Fitness gym. His real-life Entourage passes by with friendly reminders as he hangs out before his next train- ing session. They’ve turned the “whirlwind” of the last three years into a breeze for the five-time champ, allowing him to be the WEC’s star and not worry about anything else. Seriously. Faber hasn’t personally paid a bill since arriving in millions of homes on the Versus network. Like it’s always been, Faber’s superhero cleft , on-de- mand smile, and laid back attitude find him the center of at- tention. But that doesn’t mean he lacks hustle. He is the full- time leader of . That entails owning a second gym and an apparel company named after his fight squad— not to mention blitzing press appearances. He works to the bone like his underlings, but ultimately his job is toughest be- cause when he punches the clock, he gets punched in the face. “In all honesty, I believe 100% this is what I was born to do,” says the fighter billed as the most dominant of all-time. He pauses to say hello to teammate Kyacey Uscola’s new- born. “Let me see the baby!” he exclaims in the general direc- tion of the mother. Without ever breaking small talk or ig- noring the baby, he manages to greet elders, pro fighters, and Fighters prepare for a young kids as they walk past him into the gym. grueling workout.

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“A champion is a champion because of what’s inside of him. It’s not because of anything else,”

If it wasn’t surprisingly warm in this know he’s king of the jungle. “Urijah,” titles and stats characterizing champi- otherwise dreary Northern Califor- he says with a “what’s up?” nod. ons as misguided. nia week, Faber would have driven the One of the fans doesn’t play it as cool “A champion is a champion because short way home. Instead, “The Califor- as the others. He repeats in amazement, of what’s inside of him. It’s not because nia Kid” demonstrates why he’s a king “Sactown’s finest! This is Sactown’s fin- of anything else,” he says. “I’m just out around here. An “Alpha Male” is a well- est right here!” here fighting and having a good time. rounded guy, explains Faber, who start- Faber gathers the trio, “I’ll take a pic- My life is awesome dude. I hang out ed writing Alpha Male on his fight wear ture of all three of us and we’ll put it with all my buddies all day. I live in in 2004. He is personable, resourceful, on my Twitter.” The overzealous one California. I travel around and watch badass, and yes, a bit cocky. So whether reveals he got kicked out of Arco Are- fights for free, which is what I would be he’s handling personal matters or the na for fighting in the stands minutes paying to do otherwise.” full-time profession of greeting people, before “The California Kid” scored Standing 5’6” tall with clean good the Isla Vista-born fighter strives to rep- a third-round rear-naked choke over looks, the only reason fighting isn’t the resent himself well. world-ranked Raphael Assuncao. “That perfect occupation for the 30-year-old Like these three guys who wander sucks!” acknowledges Faber. is because he doesn’t look like the lion. straight out of the 18 to 35-year-old They walk off, promising Faber that But actually, it’s part of his draw: he male demographic and onto the side- the belt is coming back to The Capital wears the sheep’s clothing and trans- walk just in front of Ultimate Fitness. City on April 24 when Faber clashes forms into the superior beast inside the They shout a request for photos and newly-minted champion Jose Aldo at cage. autographs 15 feet away as to not inter- Arco Arena for the 145-pound crown. The trick for Faber is looking like a rupt their hometown hero. Having notched a three-year, 13-fight star and fighting like a star but being his “Cruise on over homies,” says Faber. winning streak en route to becoming own Lebowski-like self when it’s time He introduces himself like they don’t one of MMA’s biggest stars, Faber deems to meet fans. Only a few prizefighters

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have this “it” factor of taking fortune in stride, appearing at the top of the world but with feet firmly on the ground. The crazy part is that a warrior with a bankable personality like Faber seemed destined to go unnoticed. For three years, he’d toss fighters across the local cages as if he was disgusted with them and punched like they paid him per strike. And he Urijah squares off against one of the did it all with swagger. Despite his budding star and increased most dangerous featherweights in exposure for mixed martial arts post-2005’s Bonnar-Griffin the world, former WEC Champion, . boom, sub- fighters were seen as unmarketable. PHOTO PAUL THATCHER That’s when the Ultimate Fighting Championship parent company, , purchased his WFA contract in late 2006. Faber kept the belt he claimed from Cole Escovedo at WEC 19 and rode a promotional wave starting in January 2007. Faber went on to defend his WEC 145-pound crown a record five times, joining an elite club with UFC icons , , and . The first time he fought in a major venue, a record WEC audience witnessed Faber retain his crown from inaugural UFC Lightweight Champion in a dominant 25-minute display at Arco Arena in Sac- ramento in June 2008. He dropped the belt five months later to ’s Mike Thomas Brown in Florida. Back at Arco Arena a year later, another WEC record crowd backed their hometown hero as Faber challenged Brown’s featherweight throne. “My right hand is done!” Faber told Muay Thai coach Thonglor Armatsena, a.k.a. “Master Thong,” between rounds one and two. “Shut up! Shut up! You a champion!” yelled back Master Thong, slapping the spot on Faber’s chest where his heart frantically lub-dubbed with adrenaline. “I wasn’t trying to quit, I was just trying to tell you!” Faber recalls with a laugh. The language barrier—Master Thong speaks little English—rarely scrambles their wavelength. 12,682 fans shook Arco Arena to encourage their champion. “Fuck it,” he said, jumping back into the fight. They got their money’s worth with Faber exceeding speed limits for the remaining 20 minutes of the contest against a bulldozing Brown, despite acquiring a second broken hand. Faber doesn’t think during a fight. He creates and reacts to situations, but with damaged artillery, he could never fire off a kill shot, and dropped a to Brown. The performance further endeared Faber to fans and critics, reminding viewers he’s a rare breed who disregards safety to dramatize a fight, something he’s done his entire career. “I’m the guy that will go the extra mile,” says Faber, “be- cause I’ve always been a hard working cat.”

Blue-Collar Royalty Urijah Faber’s physique and fighting skills could serve as mo- tivational posters; however, it might be easier to just listen to Faber for pure inspiration. “If you don’t like the direction of the river, don’t jump in,” says Faber, rattling off affirmations like he’s giving a presenta- tion. “People who can’t stand drugs turn to reality. There’s only two things you have to do in life, you have to die and you have to live, until you die, the rest is up to you.” He discloses yesterday’s frantic schedule as a prime example of a typical Urijah Faber day. One friend asked if he could speak to his old high school team. Faber doesn’t like to say no. Someone else asked if he could speak to at-risk kids.

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Sure, bring them by the gym. “Don’t It’s no wonder his teachers all dubbed college or own a new car. “Then he’d At a local bagel shop, an old man said from broken bottles and knife attacks me, the sport is as raw as you can get,” commit,” said his handlers, because him a natural leader. But it’s easy to come back home, clean the fish, cook Faber was a legit fighter for ignoring from 12 Balinese in Indonesia. Upon says Faber. “It’s just two individuals. It missing dinner with sponsors would be have a bright-eyed view of the world the fish, go to my mom’s house the next two broken hands in a fight. Compli- returning to the and sign- really doesn’t matter all that you know. a disaster. And all the while, he has to with a brand new black Mercedes E350. day. Of course, it’s not perfect, but it’s ment accepted, but the fan’s admission ing on for his Zuffa WEC debut, Nick It’s usually the guy’s spirit and what his live the life of an athlete: eating right, “This is a hard time right now,” says all relative. Life was great for me.” went awry when he pointed out that he Diaz accidentally cut Faber’s chin dur- heart’s about that determines whether training multiple times a day, and rest- Faber, aware of California and its capi- His parents weren’t at all of his games had previously hated Faber because of ing training, which required stitches he wins. ing properly. tal’s hurting econo- and he didn’t mind because they were “the pretty boy thing.” and endangered the contest. Faber grew Competing for championships in 14 “I’m an extreme op- my. “I’ve been where working their asses off. He was just “Hey man, I fight for a living,” says what he called a goatee to hide it from of his 27 bouts, Faber trusts his heart timist, and the other I’ve had nothing. I’ve happy they supported him. The result? Faber. “I’ve been doing this when there inspection. It worked. before war. As a headliner at Arco Are- thing is I’m not a huge “I like to been where I’ve been Faber’s confidence is borderline clinical. was no money involved. I’ve never had The rest is history, and until now, it’s na for a third time, Faber breaks new planner,” says Faber, on the verge of hav- Even when he repeated kindergar- braces. I don’t shave my fucking chest. been contained on the Versus network. ground again by bringing the feather- who simply trusts he’ll exemplify—even ing stuff. And where ten, his self-esteem was unwavering. I don’t pluck my eyebrows. This is just But Faber’s stardom has ascended far weights and the WEC to pay-per-view. accomplish everything I am now, where I’m He threw punches at the mirror and the way I look, bro. I’m not a pretty boy. enough to latch the WEC onto pay-per- Win or lose, he’s planted more posi- he needs like he did in my losses—a a little bit better off thought he was the baddest little dude I’m about as manly as it gets … So what, view satellites for the first time in the tive seeds from which his empire may yesterday, without financially. I un- on the planet. That never changed. In I’m not a bad looking dude.” organization’s nine-year history. He grow. burning anyone in the positive attitude. derstand the differ- his mind, every day is Urijah Faber day. If life is all about perspective, bet on attempts to reclaim his title when he “I’m not defined by a belt or whatev- process. He maximizes ent struggles. I feel Fighting hard enough through life, Faber, the alpha male. tangles with 2009 FIGHT! Magazine’s er anyone else thinks,” says Faber, who his time without wor- Life is good. As like my attitude the local ranks, and the WEC, Faber was re- Fighter of the Year Jose Aldo on April attempts to regain the featherweight rying about the stresses whole time has been cently honored with an official Urijah A Karma Empire 24. crown on his mother’s birthday. “I’m of a non-stop day, a one of happiness and Faber Day at Arco Arena by his favorite Urijah Faber was voted worst driver in Faber understands fighters like Aldo defined by how I live my life, what kind tactic he learned early long as you’re having gratitude. sports franchise: the Sacramento Kings. high school. are getting better, cutting more weight of things I put into my everyday work, on. “I like to exem- He couldn’t afford to go to games grow- Worst car too. He sold it to his buddy and competing at higher levels. It forces and who I surround myself with.” From a divorced fam- living, you have a plify—even in my ing up. He vaguely remembers attend- for $50, although it was “pretty luxury Faber to fight for his lion’s share. He re- Urijah Faber was never the best, but ily, he learned manage- losses—a positive at- ing one or two. Faber remarks that it’s for a piece of crap.” His next car was an veals that his advantage is being battle he always wanted to be. The California ment skills at a young second chance.” titude. Life is good. surreal he’s in a position now where he 80-something Datsun that shook if it tested and admits to having enjoyed Kid unearthed the sturdiest foundation age, investing time As long as you’re liv- receives free tickets any time he desires, went too fast. A few fights into a strange, fighting when there were no rewards. for a fighting empire: loyal followers. in two households, ing, you have a sec- although he hardly has time to attend. fast world of mixed martial arts, speed “If you look at pictures of the [David “I want to fight, like, when I win, school, and athletics. In elementary ond chance. Enjoy life.” “It’s been interesting for me. I haven’t didn’t scare Faber. Neither did exhaus- Velasquez] fight,” he says, calling atten- people win. When I lose, people lose. school, he filmed commercials and did Faber relates that he could dwell on ever thought I want to be famous or I tion. He was working 16-hour days, tion to a particularly bloody fight of his Fans like that—who are emotionally at- runway work for kids’ products thanks his parents’ divorce or his father being want to do this or I want to do that,” he paying $220 rent to live with college career, “it looks like I was having a great tached—are why I fucking love doing to his mom’s gig at a modeling agency. an alcoholic or domestic disputes at his says, “I just kind of went with the flow friends, and drove to and from Lake Ta- time.” all the PR stuff and meeting all these In high school, he added odd jobs and mom’s house involving her new boy- and this is where I ended up.” hoe to teach wrestling camps to get by. Only a few young guys first started people,” says Faber. a personal life to his hectic schedule friend. That’s completely opposite of Flow could help explain Faber’s suc- One fateful night, he popped in a fighting with knees on the ground, , , and while picking up all-league status as a his style though. In Faber’s mind, those cess. It’s the positive energy he puts CD a teammate had recommended. He wrestling shoes, and without regulation have struck the same cornerback. In college, he ditched foot- life-changing instances weigh only as into the universe, an integral compo- hit play on Atmosphere’s Lucy Ford and like Faber did. He needed eight staples cord with fans, resulting in legendary ball to become a Division I wrestler much—if not less—than the smaller, nent to staying at the peak of mixed his fighting future was foretold: Uri- six seconds into a classic fight against superstar status in the sport. As the (walk-on at University of California-Da- finer moments. martial arts. More tangible things such jah Faber was going to be “bigger than , but raged on for 10 min- most dominant champ in WEC history, vis), bus boy, wrestling coach, student, “My dad used to take that motor as blood, sweat, and tears are equally guns, bigger than cigarettes.” utes. Ready to face Aldo, it’s all the same Faber’s cemented his place in the books. and standout campus personality. home, he’d be working construction, important. Seven years of mental and There are many reasons that almost for Faber. The toughest guys with no But showing appreciation to fans really “I would feel horrible if I just had one he’d park it at a pond in the summer physical sacrifice—Faber’s never eaten never came to be. Faber almost didn’t name or the best and most hyped fight- defines Faber’s spot in mixed martial thing to do all the time,” he adds, not- time, and me and my brother would McDonald’s—is something Faber val- go to college, contemplating staying in ers in the sport. A fight’s a fight. arts—it’s a karmic exchange where ing his desire to acquire James Brown’s fish all day while he was doing con- ues. He’s proud. And while he generally his small, suburban Sacramento town “There’s no doubt that I’ve had to fighter and fan feel like royalty at the “hardest working man” title for mixed struction,” reminisces Faber, the first in doesn’t listen to negativity, sometimes of Lincoln. He almost didn’t get away fight tough guys to be where I’m at. For same moments. martial arts. his immediate family to graduate from it happens.

In His Own Words: in that whole arena knew it but me. He they were legal back then. I was wearing he’s scared to stand up.’ I was on top of going and going. It was something that June 7, 2009, WEC 41 Faber’s 5 Favorite Fights went out, and I didn’t want to wrestle my wrestling shows, kneeing him in the him, and I said, ‘Fuck you,’ and went motivated me. After that fight, I think I Unanimous decision loss to Mike at all. I’d never done any striking or top of the head, then I choked him out.” boom [dropping elbow motion]. It was went on a huge winning streak, some- Brown (rematch) Nov. 12, 2003, Gladiator Challenge 20 anything, I came out southpaw and just primal at that time.” thing like a 13-fight winning streak.” “It was an experience for myself where victory over Jay started firing punches at him. Boom, June 3, 2004, Gladiator Challenge 27 I was, like, having to deal with some- Valencia boom! I hit him like three times … he Unanimous decision victory over Aug. 10, 2005, Gladiator Challenge 42 June 1, 2008, WEC 34 thing I’ve never dealt with before and “I was just like a clean-cut college kid double legged me. I went for a choke, I David Velasquez Technical loss (punches) to Unanimous decision victory over Jens had to be creative. Even though I knew and I was fighting a big ole Mexican, stood up, and I didn’t want anything “It was the first time one of my fights Tyson Griffin Pulver I wasn’t going to win, it was a fight for who had tattoos across his stomach, to do with wrestling. I was trying to went to a decision, and it was a heated “I just fought through adversity. It was “It was the first time I fought in a huge myself just to do it. Just to say ‘Fuck it.’ and all my best friends were telling me knee and punch him because I wanted battle. I remember cussing at his corner a bigger guy. I hit my head like eight arena. It was like the hit-big-time kind I remember saying ‘Fuck it’ in the sec- not to do it. I remember the guy staring to fight, you know? I ended up landing and telling him to ‘shut the fuck up.’ It seconds into it. It was the first time I re- of feeling. The crowd was going nuts. ond round. Once I got past the second at me and just thinking, ‘Dude, you’re like two knees, then I tossed him, then I was Paul Buentello that was in his cor- ally pushed through injury, and I took a I was fighting a guy who is a legend. It round, I was like, ‘Alright, let’s figure fucking fucked bro.’ And no one else landed some knees to the head because ner. He said, ‘He’s scared of you, Dave, ton of big punches in that fight and kept was just an incredible feeling.” this out.’”

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