Dominick Cruz vs. Urijah Faber II set for UFC 132 in July
Posted on March 27, 2011, 08:09 PM by Joey SantosusBantamweight Champion Dominick Cruz will put his title on the line for the third time when he makes his promotional debut against top contender Urijah Faber at UFC 132.
UFC officials announced the match-up on Saturday. The title fight will be a rematch of their March 2007 bout, in which Cruz was submitted by Faber in his WEC debut.
Since his sole career loss to "The California Kid," Cruz (17-1) has reeled off eight consecutive wins, including a TKO victory over then undefeated Brian Bowles to capture the 135-pound strap. He then went on to successfully defend the title on two occasions, outpointing both Joseph Benavidez and Scott Jorgensen over the course of 2010. Cruz was named the first UFC Bantamweight Champion when the promotions merged late last year.
Faber (25-4), meanwhile, made his UFC debut earlier this month, picking up his second straight win with a unanimous decision over Eddie Wineland. His recent success at 135-pounds follows a failed attempt at dethroning current Featherweight Champion Jose Aldo. The two met at WEC 48, the promotion's first and only pay-per-view event, and though Faber showed great heart, lasting all five rounds, he appeared to have no answer for the Brazilian's crippling leg-kicks. It was after that loss that Faber made the transition to Bantamweight, where he rebounded with a first round submission win over Takeya Mizugaki in his final WEC appearance.
UFC 132 is set to take place July 2nd from the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Bantamweight title clash between Cruz and Faber will likely serve as either headliner or co-headliner alongside B.J. Penn vs. Jon Fitch II.
Photo: MMAWeekly.com
Comments
Dominick is nothing like the one Faber submit years ago.
Faber did not impress me at all in his fight vs Wineland
i think he should fight either Torres or Bowles before but whatever
Dominick will beat Faber in july or in November dosent matter
He is as fast as Faber if not more , his stand up is superior
and so is his wrestling , Faber may have better submissions
but im sure Cruz will just dominated him on the stand up and take him on the ground only a few times to mix it up!
Dominick Cruz will be Champion for a long time!
not so sure, faber is a very large strong 135 lbr and has in my mind better take down defense and power punching then cruz. although cruz has the footwork and movement speed i believe is equal in this fight. speed of striking is diffrent than speed of ring movement and i think faber vs cruz is pretty even with speed and athletic ability. my question is if faber can get cruz to the ground and keep him pinned. i still think faber at some ime will be a champ again
Dominick is gonna dance circles around Faber.
in the Dana blog Cruz look like he might of broke a knuckle
Dont know if he will win i haveactually never seen cruz fight for some reason. i think the ufc are hoping for a torres faber title fight reckon?
I t6hink Cruz is great but often Urijahs determination is a hard thing to hang with. Urijah and Dominick are both extremely fast and skilled while I give Dominick the striking edge I give Urijah the inventive edge. I honestly couldn't be sure who will win but I have afeeling that Urijah will take it again.
Faber should stick to surfing....
Woo finally!!!
Faber is going to get outclassed.
faber shouldnt have a title shot right after his FIRST fight in the ufc, just saying
What Logic is that? He is amoung many first time UFC fighters. Who should have the tiotle shot then because they fought more times in the UFC.lol.
semi main event
This should be a fast paced exciting fight. I see Urijah leaving with the belt. He has the speed & strenght to slow down Cruz.
It's wack how Faber is suddenly ranked #2 in the world. I hate how MMA sites do that nowadays, make it seem like its ALWAYS the 2 best fighting for the title. Most of the time it is, but I still don't get the dishonestly.
I am looking forward to this fight.
I think Cruz takes this one.