Urijah Faber has never lost back-to-back fights. | Photo: Jeff Sherwood/Sherdog.com
Bantamweights
Urijah Faber (26-6, 2-2 UFC) vs. Ivan Menjivar (25-9, 4-2 UFC)
Faber struggled to get inside against Renan Barao in their interim bantamweight title tilt at UFC 149, but the ultra-popular World Extreme Cagefighting veteran never seems to be too far removed from the championship picture. As the most recognizable fighter in the division, Faber could conceivably return to contender status with a couple quality wins.
Outside of a disappointing effort against Mike Easton at UFC 148, Menjivar has done well in his second tour with the Las Vegas-based promotion, winning four of five outings, some in impressive fashion. Most recently, “The Pride of El Salvador” put his active guard on display, as he submitted Azamat Gashimov with an armbar in the opening round at UFC 154. Menjivar is a crowd-pleaser thanks to an aggressive approach that combines solid power with a multi-faceted striking arsenal. Mix in the aforementioned ground game, and the Tristar Gym representative is a post-fight bonus waiting to happen.
Although he has come up short in recent championship opportunities, Faber tends to dominate against fighters who are not at the very top of the division. Witness his second-round submission of Brian Bowles at UFC 139, for example. Faber is not quite the athletic specimen he was during his WEC heyday, but he is more than explosive enough to get into tie-up and takedown range against Menjivar. Faber is the better wrestler and will force his foe to work to defend from beneath as he unleashes quick bursts of ground-and-pound. Menjivar is good at causing chaos from his back, but Faber has an uncanny ability to escape bad positions and win the majority of scrambles on the floor.
On the feet, Faber does not throw a high volume of strikes, but he lands with considerable power, especially in his right hand. That threat should be enough to allow him to implement the other aspects of his game here.
The Pick: At some point, Menjivar will be desperate to escape an unyielding assault from Faber on the mat, and the Team Alpha Male product will capitalize for a submission win in round two or three.
Next Fight » Josh Koscheck vs. Robbie Lawler