Urijah Faber: Is he a top contender in 2019?
It’s hard to think of a UFC Hall of Famer like Urijah Faber having something to prove heading into any fight. The former WEC champion and multiple-time UFC challenger had a strong career where he was consistently ranked among the best in the division. Even though he was unable to obtain UFC gold, he remained a fan favorite for much of his career. He walked away from the sport in 2016, but like so many of his peers, he eventually came back – earning a 46-second stoppage over Ricky Simon in July. This Saturday he’s heading into a fight against number four ranked Petr Yan. Fans won’t recognize Yan the same way they recognize Faber, but after Saturday’s bout they may be forced to look at him in a totally different light.
With nearly a decade between them in age, this is the type of matchmaking that is prepared to answer important questions about both men. Come Sunday morning, fight fans and pundits will know whether Yan is “for real” or if Faber is beyond the point in his career where he can compete with the younger fighters looking to push their way up the ladder. Yan is looking at Faber as a path to get to a title shot against Henry Cejudo, a name that he continues to call out. This could be a career defining victory for Yan at a time when the title picture for bantamweight continues to look less and less clear.
Divisional turnover is an issue within the UFC where new names are having a harder time getting into title shot territory. With Faber, Jose Aldo and Frankie Edgar moving down to bantamweight, their name cachet should threaten those like Yan who are younger, lesser-known and looking for a staple win to earn a shot at the belt. Yan has his opportunity on Saturday at UFC 245 and a big win for him may turn Faber into the proverbial steppingstone.