Urijah Faber: "Dominick 'The Dominator' Cruz, isn't dominating anyone"
by Hubert Lau on June 23, 2011

Urijah Faber is confident in his upcoming title bout for the bantamweight championship at UFC 132 against defending champion, Dominick Cruz, according to bloodyelbow.com.

Faber feels that Cruz has yet to evolve since their last fight at WEC 26, ironically it was Cruz challenging Faber for his featherweight title. Faber won that bout via guillotine choke in the first round.

"He's changed, but the thing that hasn't changed with him, is that he's not dangerous. It's ironic that a guy, especially with the name Dominick 'The Dominator' Cruz, isn't dominating anyone. He should be called an 'Irritator', or 'The Eluder', not 'Dominator'," Faber said.

The loss to Faber would be the only blemish in Cruz's record. He went on to debut in the bantamweight division and have been on a eight fight win streak which includes capturing the WEC bantamweight title, defending it twice. In his last defense, Cruz took a unanimous decision win over Scott Jorgensen to win the inaugural UFC bantamweight belt.

"My improvements since I first met with Dominick has been leaps and bounds, my skill is at the highest level. I feel like I'm the strongest I've ever been, as focus as I've ever been and I have the resources, the surrounding, the teammates and the coaches to make me the best fighter in the world" Faber said.

Faber defeated Takeya Mizugaki and Eddie Wineland to earn his title shot after dropping down from the featherweight division, a weight class he reigned as WEC champion from 2006 to 2008.

UFC 132 on July 2 will be headlined by the Cruz vs. Faber bantamweight title fight. Other bouts in the main card include former Pride middleweight champion, Wanderlei Silva, fighting Chris Leben. A welterweight tilt between Carlos Condit fighting rising Korean star, Dong Hyun Kim. Tito Ortiz will look to snap a three fight losing streak against light heavyweight prospect, Ryan Bader. Lightweights Dennis Siver and Matt Wiman will battle.

 |  (13) Comments Lay'n'PrayNINJA: Should be a good fight. Faber talking a lot of smack considering Cruz has been dominating everyone. Finishes are much harder to come by in the lower classes. Anyone who watches Cruz fight knows he is trying to finish his opponents... JujitsWho: Strong words from Faber. I'm actually a little shocked by them. He's normally so mellow. I do think Faber wins the fight, but I really don't like Faber that much. I do like Cruz, so I'll be pulling for him. Lay'n'PrayNINJA: Cruz by UD or (t)KO. IwishIwasMMA: I got Urijah. If you can do it once, you can do it twice. mike5k: Faber might be my favorite fighter outside of my geographical area. The dude trains hard, prepares hard, and fights hard then shows class and respect, win or lose. He is so good for the sport. This verbal battle between these guys has been going on. It's hyping the fight and I have no problem with it from either side. I have Faber by choke ...again ;) Jambi: I really think Cruz has improved so much since his loss and will get the W. Prolly by a decision. Faber just has not improved the same, kinda been pretty stellar in his improvement. GO HARD: i got Cruz by UD i like both fighters... im rooting for Urijahm but i think Cruz is too much standing. The Hitman: I can't stand Cruz, but he has been dominating everyone. I don't really like Faber's chances.
HOW WILL THE THIAGO ALVES VS. MARTIN KAMPMANN FIGHT END AT UFC ON FX 2?
Alves def. Kampmann via TKO/KO
Alves def. Kampmann via submission
Alves def. Kampmann via decision
Kampmann def. Alves via TKO/KO
Kampmann def. Alves via submission
Kampmann def. Alves via decision
TAKE ANOTHER POLL!