5 Rounds: How far can Urijah Faber take this second act?

UFC Corridor of Famer Urijah Faber returned to the Octagon on Saturday in his hometown of Sacramento, California, as a heavy underdog in opposition to rising prospect Ricky Simon. He left the victor following a powerful first-round TKO end. The 40-year-old Faber was requested following the win for his subsequent step, and he wasn’t shy in his ambitions.

“I believe (UFC bantamweight champion) Henry Cejudo referred to as me out a bit of bit in the past,” Faber advised Michael Bisping. “I heard Dana White mentioned I used to be previous. I do know Dana White was previous when he was 40, however I am a younger man.”

What does Faber have left? Our MMA panel — Brett Okamoto, Marc Raimondi and Jeff Wagenheim — solutions that and different questions from UFC Struggle Night time.

How far can Urijah Faber take this second act?

Okamoto: I am beginning to actually query whether or not the person is actually 40 years previous. And I am unable to be the one one. The abs. The locks. The boyish beauty. Who appears like this at 40? I consider Faber can nonetheless have very significant fights, even at age 40, and I believe if the playing cards fall proper, the massive one is TJ Dillashaw’s return in 2021. That is a protracted methods down the street, however I do know for a reality Faber would like to have it, and it is one of many greatest — if not the largest — fights he may nonetheless get, due to the historical past there.

I do not assume he’ll make it again to a championship struggle. I simply do not. There are too many names forward of him, and fairly frankly, I do not need to see Faber insert himself into the 135-pound title “combine.” Take a enjoyable struggle right here and there, and relying on what occurs, land that huge payday in 2021 in opposition to Dillashaw.

Urijah Faber, at 40, returned to the Octagon on Saturday and knocked out Ricky Simon within the first spherical. Kyle Terada/USA TODAY Sports activities

Raimondi: This comeback victory opens up main doorways for Faber. Simon was 15-1, a extremely regarded 26-year-old prospect coming in. He was the favourite; Faber was the underdog in his hometown. At 40 years previous, Faber was capable of end Simon in 46 seconds, the quickest knockout of his profession. Wild stuff. This could result in a giant struggle subsequent for Faber, but it surely’s unclear what that struggle is. Possibly a rematch with Renan Barao or Eddie Wineland?

A bantamweight title shot remains to be a methods off, though he and Henry Cejudo have expressed curiosity in it. Faber, although, is a UFC Corridor of Famer, a confirmed ticket vendor and clearly nonetheless has loads of sport left. I am undecided if he ought to get thrown in with a top-10 opponent simply but, but when he wins yet another he could possibly be in that blend. If he wins two extra, possibly that title speak is just not utterly loopy.

Wagenheim: Faber rode off into the sundown three years in the past, and fewer than a 12 months later he was within the UFC Corridor of Fame, a becoming gold star for his legacy. Watching him stroll out of his nook Saturday to satisfy 15-1 rising featherweight Ricky Simon, I could not assist however assume: Why is Urijah, at age 40, risking the reminiscence of that wonderful swansong by coming ba–

After which he dropped Simon with that huge overhand, swarmed him for the short end and The California Child had topped himself. He did not cease there, although. Faber instantly referred to as out two-division champion Henry Cejudo. Why wait?

Does Faber deserve a shot at Cejudo’s bantamweight belt? After all not. However UFC matchmaking does wish to observe the cash. So I would not be shocked if Faber earns some inexperienced. I’d be stunned, nevertheless, if he earns gold. The fast KO of Simon was spectacular, however as Urijah himself mentioned afterward, there are ranges to this sport. Simon is a protracted elevator trip under the extent of Cejudo — at this level in his profession, anyway, since he is younger — and a 40-year-old Faber is just not on the champ’s penthouse stage, both. There are extra deserving challengers than Urijah. Cannot fault the callout, although.

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Okamoto: I imply, she may knock her out. That is the potential drawback. She is that gifted. She does hit that arduous. She’s skilled. She has fought Nunes earlier than. After all, she would doubtless go in as a large underdog, however she has the scale to cope with Nunes’ athleticism and she or he’s received quite a few weapons on the toes. She will strike within the clinch, and at a distance. She has good cardio. Her takedown protection has been on level lately. She’s the rightful No. 1 contender. And though I most likely will not wager on Nunes’ title reign coming to an finish, I am not counting de Randamie out in any respect in the event that they cross paths for the title.

Raimondi: De Randamie has taken numerous warmth through the years, a few of which is deserved. Nonetheless you are feeling about her unwillingness to struggle Cris Cyborg, “The Iron Woman” is one heck of a fighter. If that struggle with Nunes for the bantamweight title is subsequent, de Randamie has nearly as good an opportunity as anybody. GDR will deliver a the attain benefit, her distinctive putting abilities from years of kickboxing and an evolving MMA sport along with her to that bout. She has improved an important deal since Nunes beat her in 2013, which was her final loss. Now, Nunes has gotten higher, too. After all. However proper now, while you have a look at the ladies’s bantamweight rankings, there would not look like anybody higher outfitted at taking over Nunes on the toes than de Randamie.

Wagenheim: De Randamie was 37-Zero as an expert kickboxer, profitable 4 world championships. She will throw palms. However two years after she left kickboxing for good in 2011, she stepped into the UFC cage with Amanda Nunes, and it did not go nicely for the Dutchwoman. And the Nunes who dealt de Randamie a first-round TKO loss was not the identical fighter because the Nunes of at present. “The Lioness” has elevated her sport dramatically, and I don’t envision de Randamie presenting any issues that she did not the primary time. Which had been none.

I am high quality with de Randamie getting the title struggle she earned, although, if the UFC is keen to present a shot to an ex-champ the promotion stripped for refusing to tackle a problem. However I might be extra excited to look at Nunes defend her 145-pound belt in a rematch with Cris Cyborg — the lady de Randamie refused to struggle.

Did Herb Dean make the right stoppage name?

Okamoto: Look, making an attempt to critique a struggle stoppage is hard — as a result of figuring out when to cease a struggle is hard. I would like referees to err on the aspect of warning, usually. Higher protected than sorry, proper? On this case, although, I do assume Dean stopped it too quickly. I believe Dean reacted to the way in which Ladd initially went down, which is not improper in and of itself, however she did not go utterly limp. She did not face plant. She really caught herself and was within the means of sitting up and slowly reaching for a leg. Does the results of that struggle change if Dean lets it go a couple of extra seconds? In all probability not, actually. However that is a primary occasion, with a title shot doubtlessly on the road. The stoppage was early.

Germaine de Randamie knocked out Aspen Ladd within the first spherical in Sacramento on Saturday. Kyle Terada/USA TODAY Sports activities

Raimondi: At first, I assumed completely not. It appeared like Aspen Ladd nonetheless had struggle in her. She turned to face de Randamie and was seeking to defend, maybe even assault with a takedown from the seated place. After watching it a couple of extra occasions, I can perceive what referee Herb Dean noticed. Proper after the knockdown punch from de Randamie, Ladd was on her palms and knees, dealing with away, not defending herself for the oncoming punches. Dean stepped in as de Randamie was going for a follow-up shot, which she missed. By the point Dean may absolutely get in between then, Ladd was defending.

It was a split-second name by Dean — these are very tough to make. I can perceive the followers and Ladd wanting only a bit extra time. She appeared to get better pretty rapidly from the preliminary punch. However it was clear Dean was making an attempt to guard her from taking any pointless harm. I am unable to fault him for that — I simply want these conditions had been a bit extra constant in MMA so far as when fights get stopped and when the broken fighter is allowed to press on.

Wagenheim: Herb Dean is the very best referee within the sport, and I will stay together with his judgment. Might he have given Aspen Ladd an opportunity to defend herself on the bottom? Possibly, from the place I used to be sitting. However Dean was loads nearer than I used to be, and he may see issues the remainder of us couldn’t. A ref’s job is to guard the fighters, and except it is a blatant mistake — this was removed from that — I am not going to kill Herb over a stoppage name like this. I am loads much less bothered by what could be an early stoppage than I’m by a late stoppage. For me, refs ought to at all times err on the aspect of security.

How a lot did Aspen Ladd’s inventory drop with tonight’s end result?

Okamoto: Not a lot, in my view. She was form of enjoying with home cash. This was a significant step up in competitors for Ladd, and it is easy to easily chalk it as much as “an excessive amount of, too quickly.” You even have some controversy within the stoppage, though I personally do not put a complete lot of inventory into that. Whether or not you assume the stoppage was early or not, the very fact is Ladd received completely rocked inside the first 20 seconds of the struggle. She wasn’t prepared for this spot, or this opponent. That does not imply her ceiling is any decrease than it was going into final weekend. I nonetheless have extremely excessive hopes for Ladd. You simply hope the frustration and harm she suffered on this bout would not set her too far again.

Aspen Ladd, proper, suffered her first skilled loss on Saturday in opposition to Germaine de Randamie. Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Getty Photos

Raimondi: An incremental drop, if that. Ladd is 24 years previous. She’s not even near her athletic prime but. There is a strong probability she is a future champion within the UFC. Ladd is well-rounded and has nice killer intuition, which you’ll be able to’t actually train. She received caught by a talented kickboxer with a world of fight sports activities expertise who’s greater than a decade older than her. It occurs. Nobody stays undefeated endlessly, for essentially the most half.

All Ladd wants is yet another win to get again on observe, and two extra may put her in place for a title shot. That is solely a minor setback, particularly contemplating many thought the struggle ought to have continued when referee Dean jumped in to cease it after de Randamie’s knockdown punch. The one a part of Ladd’s sport that wants sharpening instantly is the burden minimize. Even when she was nervous on the dimensions, resulting in shivering and a few horrifying seconds, this is a matter she must kick. That is rather more of a crimson flag than a knockout loss to de Randamie.

Wagenheim: Fundamental occasions are supposed to supply solutions, however this one produced nothing however questions, a minimum of on the Ladd aspect after seeing her knocked out with the primary punch de Randamie threw.

Did the UFC push the 24-year-old too quick? There actually was an expertise hole between her and her 35-year-old opponent, who has been preventing as an expert since Ladd was 5 years previous. However Ladd was extremely ranked, so sooner or later she must be referred to as upon to show what she’s received. De Randamie had been off for over a 12 months and had fought simply as soon as since February 2017. If there was a time to get in with a veteran like de Randamie, this was it. (Till it wasn’t.)

How a lot does this loss set Ladd again within the bantamweight division? The direct reply is that one loss is just not the top of the world; it is how a fighter responds that issues in the long term. However I query whether or not bantamweight is the place for Aspen within the first place. Did you see her on the dimensions Friday morning, shivering and teetering and never wanting like somebody who must be in a cage struggle in 18 hours? What impact did that excruciating weight minimize have on her? Robust to say after simply 16 seconds, however nobody will ever persuade me fighter who appears like that at weigh-ins can present up on struggle night time at her or his finest.

What was your favourite struggle of the night time?

Okamoto: Faber vs. Simon. I am a sucker, OK. Shut second is Josh Emmett vs. Mirsad Bektic. Shut third is Andre Fili vs. Sheymon Moraes. However I used to be lucky sufficient to be Octagonside for the co-main occasion, and if I am being trustworthy, the entire thing warmed my coronary heart. The walkout. The knockout. I have been masking this sport for 10 years. I’ve seen Faber struggle in Sacramento quite a few occasions. It was like a step again in time for me. I cherished it.

Ryan Corridor improved to Eight-1 as an expert with a win in opposition to Darren Elkins on Saturday in Sacramento. Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Getty Photos

Raimondi: When Ryan Corridor is preventing, I can not look away. So, I might have to decide on Corridor’s unanimous-decision win over Darren Elkins right here. Nobody within the UFC fights like Corridor, the Brazilian jiu-jitsu savant. He’s a throwback to a different period of MMA, when specialists dominated the roost. But, it is clear Corridor has made nice strides in his putting. He dropped Elkins with a spinning again kick and straight lefts.

Corridor is a grasp strategist, doesn’t get hit a lot, and if he would not get you to the bottom, he would possibly simply hit you within the head with one thing spinning unorthodox. The followers booed him a bit as a result of he would not be roped right into a brawl. However so far as I am involved, Corridor is appointment viewing.

Wagenheim: Give me extra Ryan Corridor fights. How about subsequent Saturday? How about tomorrow? I will watch. For me, there’s countless intrigue within the unorthodox, whether or not in martial arts or within the arts usually. Corridor appears like he is creating within the second, splashing on the canvas like an summary painter, improvising like he is in a jazz membership. He is irritating to struggle, I do know, however that is a part of his attraction. Elite robust guys like Darren Elkins — a 35-year-old veteran of 31 earlier professional fights — get in there with the thin, lackadaisical, sleepy-eyed Corridor and do not know learn how to assault him and even defend themselves. Elkins was so mesmerized by Corridor’s seemingly helter-skelter grappling forays that he received damage first by a giant kick, then by a giant punch. Corridor put collectively a whole struggle, and I used to be utterly entertained.