When the UFC returns to Sacramento on Dec. 17, it will be the last time fight fans see Urijah Faber compete inside the Octagon.
“The California Kid” announced this week that his bantamweight matchup with fellow WEC veteran Brad Pickett will be his last fight. The 37-year-old is coming off back-to-back unanimous decision losses to Cruz at UFC 199 and Jimmie Rivera at UFC 203.
Faber (33-10) gained popularity in the defunct World Extreme Cagefighting promotion and is regarded as a pioneer for MMA’s lighter weight classes. He won the WEC featherweight title in 2006 and defended it five times including once against current UFC champion Dominick Cruz and once against former UFC champ Jens Pulver. At one point in his career Faber was 21-1 and considered one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in MMA before being knocked out by Mike Brown. From the point in time when he lost his title Faber has gone 12-9 overall and is 0-7 in WEC/UFC title fights.
Pickett (25-12) is also nearing the end of his career. The 38-year-old is 5-7 in the UFC and has lost four of his last five bouts. The London, England native holds a notable win over current UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson when they fought back at WEC 48 in 2010.
The event will be headlined by Faber’s teammate, strawweight star Paige VanZant, facing off against former Invicta FC atomweight champ Michelle Waterson. Also on the main card, popular prospect Sage Northcutt takes on CM Punk slayer Mickey Gall.
