Urijah Faber and the power of positive thinking
Urijah Faber (31-7) was once a world champ, but it's been awhile since he was. He lost his featherweight world title in 2009 to Mike Brown (26-9), but since then has done anything but fade away.
In fact, Faber has challenged for a world title (at featherweight and his current class of bantamweight) four times since that fight. Even at thirty five years of age, "The California Kid" appears to have endless title runs in him.
On Saturday, he'll go for his second straight win, at UFC 181, against Francisco Rivera (10-3). Faber has lost his past five title fights, but managed to win every other bout in impressive fashion - hence his repeated title shots.
Speaking with Faber before his UFC 181 fight, the fighter gives insight into the unique mindset that has allowed him to stay positive and re-build after every loss. The secret for the Team Alpha Male leader, it would appear, is working hard and staying proud of himself.
"It's funny, because every loss has its own story," he explains.
"I have had losses that were a lot different than other losses. For example, the last fight with [then bantamweight champion Renan] Barao, I didn't think it should have been over when the referee called it. I was holding his leg, protecting myself and had just given a thumbs up. It was just one of those things. My loss to Mike Brown, I broke my hand in the first round and dislocated my other hand in the third round. It was a close fight and I almost submitted him in the fifth. The loss against [then bantamweight champ] Dominick Cruz, I thought I won it. I knocked him down more, I did more damage."
Faber seems to realize that a loss doesn't make you a loser. Losses, like wins, happen for any number of reasons. Some are in your control, other factors are out of your control, but you can still decide how to respond to them.
After every fight, win or loss, Faber assesses what he could have done differently, what he needs to work harder on, and gets back to work in the gym.
There are so many differences in the wins and losses. I'm always pretty proud of myself. I always stay on the grind. I don't plan on ever getting out of shape. I don't think I've ever been out of shape in my life," he says.
"I continue to stay motivated and continue to believe in myself."
