- FABER VS PULVER 2 ON TAP FOR WEC 38 ON JAN** 25
Tuesday, November 25, 2008 - by MMAWeekly**com Staff
Recently knocked off his featherweight perch by Mike Brown, Urijah Faber will make a quick turn and get right back in the cage on Jan** 25 at WEC 38** A little more surprising, however, may be whom he will be facing** Sources close to the bout tell MMAWeekly**com that Faber will rematch Jens Pulver at the San Diego event**
Although bout agreements have yet to be signed, sources indicate that both sides have verbally agreed to the rematch** Faber bested Pulver in a five-round war in their original outing on June 1 in Sacramento, Calif**
As mentioned, Faber is coming off of a knockout loss to current WEC featherweight champion Mike Brown** The defeat was his first as a featherweight and only the second of his career** Faber's first defeat was a lightweight bout against current UFC contender Tyson Griffin** He is still ranked No** 2 in the world as a featherweight**
Pulver is also coming off of a loss** At the same WEC 36 event in Hollywood, Fla**, where Faber lost his title, Pulver lost his bid to return to contention** Greg Jackson-trained fighter Leonard Garcia – now the likely No** 1 contender to Mike Brown – TKO'd Pulver in the opening round**
Faber and Pulver's first bout was World Extreme Cagefighting's most successful event to date** WEC 34 drew 12,001 fans and recorded gate receipts of $738,855, according to the California State Athletic Commission**
That was in Faber's hometown of Sacramento, but moving south to San Diego likely won't have much of a negative effect, as Faber is an extremely popular fighter throughout California** The pair's first bout was also considered one of the WEC's – if not MMA's – most exciting of the year**
Early speculation had paired Faber with rising featherweight talent Jose Aldo at WEC 38, but negotiations for that fight apparently fell apart in recent days**
Although MMAWeekly**com sources say that the fight between Faber and Pulver is all but signed, management for neither fighter would confirm the bout when contacted for comment at the time of publication**
^Most likely, unless they decide to screw him and give Faber the title shot after he beats Pulver again** I hope Pulver wins, but I doubt it** He's looked like crap lately losing 4 of his last 5**
I don't like this rematch, I feel it's gonna be the same fight they had last time** I like leonard Garcia a lot, but I wanna see Faber get his belt back from Brown and avenge his loss** Then a Faber vs Garcia would be craazzyy
Wow this really does make zero sense** I hope this doesnt turn into a UFC/Liddell situation where real title contenders like Garcia get screwed out of their shot because Faber is the favorite
It's not like they have a tiny roster, maybe they figure this will bring in the most money** I hope this doesn't set up a new trend of trying to make money rather than put on the best fights******like another org** I know********
Wow, I'm actually shocked at the reaction this is getting** Seems like I'm the only one who is looking forward to it** Maybe it's just me, but I really liked the first fight they had** Do I think this one will be as good, not even close, in fact I think Urijah will put him away in the first round, but I'm still looking forward to it**
Well I believe the January card is in or around Faber's hometown, they wouldnt want the hometown hero losing to Aldo, so they put him up against a "big name" in Pulver.
Faber wins in front of his hometown, we've seen Zuffa do this before.
I agree a rematch at this time be would lame as hell, this could end Jens' career with another loss but I guess the management wants to put up another big money fight even though this match-up's already lost a lot of its appeal.
So its official, they're fighting in January....wack.
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Mixed Martial Arts Forum
1.9M posts
52.9K members
Since 2006
A mixed martial art forum community dedicated to the different arts of MMA. Come talk about UFC results, Bellator matches, The Ultimate Fighter and more!