URIJAH FABER URIJAH FABER From California Kid to Kingof California The fighting pride of Sacramento relaxes atop his mixed martial arts empire. By Danny Acosta PHOTO LANDRY MAJOR 34 FIGHTMAGAZINE.COM | APRIL 2010 FIGHTMAGAZINE.COM | APRIL 2010 35 URIJAH FABER URIJAH FABER 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 Don Frye to Faber at a 2006 King of the Cage, “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 chin, 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 Team Alpha Male. 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 featherweight 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. 36 FIGHTMAGAZINE.COM | APRIL 2010 FIGHTMAGAZINE.COM | APRIL 2010 37 URIJAH FABER “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 38 FIGHTMAGAZINE.COM | APRIL 2010 URIJAH FABER URIJAH FABER 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, Mike Brown. boom, sub-lightweight fighters were seen as unmarketable. PHOTO PAUL THATCHER That’s when the Ultimate Fighting Championship parent company, Zuffa, 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 Matt Hughes, Tito Ortiz, and Anderson Silva. The first time he fought in a major venue, a record WEC audience witnessed Faber retain his crown from inaugural UFC Lightweight Champion Jens Pulver in a dominant 25-minute display at Arco Arena in Sac- ramento in June 2008. He dropped the belt five months later to American Top Team’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 unanimous decision 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 wrestling team. Faber doesn’t like to say no. Someone else asked if he could speak to at-risk kids. 39 FIGHTMAGAZINE.COM | APRIL 2010 FIGHTMAGAZINE.COM | APRIL 2010 40 URIJAH FABER URIJAH FABER Sure, bring them by the gym. “Don’t It’s no wonder his teachers all dubbed college or own a new car.