Urijah Faber wants TJ Dillashaw next: 'I've been released from the friendship'
UFC 194 marked the 41st time Urijah Faber stepped into a cage, his 24th time fighting under the Zuffa banner, and his 33rd career win. And if all goes according to Faber's plan, he'll compete for a UFC title for a fourth time in 2016.
After taking a hard-fought decision over Frankie Saenz Saturday night, Faber likely placed himself in line for another title shot. "The California Kid" has been on a quest for UFC gold, but has yet to realize that dream.
Faber has challenged for a UFC title three times in the past. He dropped a decision to Dominick Cruz at UFC 132, lost to Renan Barao for the interim belt at UFC 149, and was stopped by strikes in their championship rematch at UFC 169.
Since that last meeting with Barao, Faber has accumulated a record of 3-1. His only loss came against Frankie Edgar in a featherweight tilt. It would seem the 36-year-old is poised to take another crack at challenging for a strap.
Dominick Cruz will lock horns with UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw in the main event of UFC Fight Night in January. Whether Faber confronts a former foe or a former friend next is the question.
Dillashaw defeated Barao at UFC 173 to become the bantamweight champion. Back then, he trained with Team Alpha Male and was coached by Duane Ludwig. Ludwig eventually left the camp, and slowly but surely, Dillashaw would part ways with his former home to train with him. His departure was likely most difficult on Faber, who was responsible for bringing Dillashaw into the camp.
Though Faber would probably relish a rubber match with Cruz, he said in the UFC 194 post-fight press conference that he'd be just as psyched to square off with his former teammate and friend.
"It doesn't really matter too much to me. I'm not here for a long time, I'm here for a good time and fighting for the title is what my goal is," Faber stated.
"I took myself off the market for a while. It's kind of a weird thing when you've been at the top of any division you've been in your entire career to take a backseat because of friendship, and that's off the table now. I've been released from the friendship. So I'm going to train my butt off and I'm going to get that call and I'll be ready. Cruz is a dope. TJ, I can't relate to the guy. I'm looking forward to a good fight."
Dillashaw will put his title on the line for a third time when he battles the former division champion, Dominick Cruz on Jan. 17. Faber reiterated that he's ready to take on the winner of that confrontation.
"I feel like I'm right where I need to be," said Faber. "Like I said, I'm not trying to hang out here forever. I just want the fights that matter, the fights that matter to me, the fights that matter to the organization and the fans. I don't think there's any secret as to what people want to see."
