UFC 181's Urijah Faber on the moments and feelings worth chasing
Conventional fight wisdom is that the lighter guys who are often reliant on speed and reflexes (which fade faster than power, over time), have trouble extending their primes past their 20s. However, even 12 years into his professional MMA career, and at 35 years of age, UFC superstar and bantamweight contender Urijah Faber (31-7) has not shown any evidence of slowing down.
This Saturday Faber will have a chance to win his second straight bout, when he takes on Francisco Rivera (10-3) at UFC 181 in Las Vegas. "The California Kid" says never getting hurt too badly in the cage, as well as staying in shape year-round outside of it is the key to his longevity.
"I've never really taken too much abuse, with the exception of my battered leg against (featherweight champ Jose) Aldo," Faber told us.
"Also, I don't use performance-enhancing drugs, I don't party too crazy, I don't abuse my body, and I stay in shape all year round. If you look at guys who have been able to fight for decades like (boxing great) Bernard Hopkins, or (former two-division UFC champ) Randy Couture, they also stay in shape all year, and take good care of themselves."
Faber does indeed make sure to stay ready, and as a result, is one of the UFC's most active top fighters, despite being in his mid-30s. The accomplishments and records continue to pile up for Faber, who has won five out of his last six bouts, as he extends his world-title career year after year.
However, he says that it isn't the success or glory that keep him motivated and in the MMA game. "The accomplishments aren't necessarily what I'm shooting for," he said.
"I'm more for following my heart and passion. I still love the fight game and I still love to compete. I realize that, because I have been so consistent and persistent at the top of the sport for so long, that I'm getting to the point where I'm setting records. And, of course, I want to be world champion again. But the only real tangible goal I have, the only thing I can control, is to give my best performance every fight. So, I do things to try to make that happen, each time."
Still, Faber can't deny that the thrill of fighting in the UFC still holds a special appeal to him. In fact, as he readies for his third fight of the year, the Team Alpha Male leader can pinpoint the part of being a fighter that he loves the most.
"I think the moment after the fight is my favorite," he said.
"The last day of school is always the best. I love a hard workout, where at the end you have a great feeling. But, the whole process leading up to a fight is a bit nerve-racking. You are fighting another guy with millions of people at home watching, and thousands in the arena. After you've done it, and you're standing in the cage it is a great feeling. You only get a certain amount of times you can feel something like that in your life."
