UFC merger and move to 135 means brightest days ahead for Urijah Faber

On the UFC WEC merger

There’s no doubt that everybody knows that the UFC is the top brand, Faber said during a Savage Dog Show interview on the Sherdog Radio Network. I think people who know MMA know that the WEC has the most exciting fighters. I think the combination is going to be great.

Some people either think that we are the UFC or think that I fight in the UFC or they ask, ‘When you going to go to the big show?’ For me, I’ve known for a long time that we’re the top fighters in the world at our weights, but not everyone else understands that. We don’t have to explain it anymore. That’s great. Business-wise, you look at the bonuses, you’re going from $10,000 to $65,000. Pay-per-view averages and everything else is up, and viewership’s up.

On the drop from 143 to 135 following his April loss to WEC featherweight champ Jose Aldo

It’s going to be what competitors do, and that’s give themselves every advantage to win. I was skilled enough to compete and do really well at 145 pounds because I was a tough fighter and mentally strong and athletic and things like that. I’m just going to take that down and have another edge on the competition. Now I’m going to be the same size and even bigger than some of the guys. I’m expecting to be faster and just as strong.

On his upcming bout vs Takeya Mizugaki on Nov. 11 at WEC 52, the promotion’s second to last event.

He’s a pretty straightforward guy, and I’m real creative. I think that’s going to pose some threats for him.

On the bottom line

The bottom line is, I feel like I resonate with fans. You couple that with the UFC fan base, it’s going to be a great thing. I’m looking forward to having my brightest days in the future. I feel great at this new weight. My body feels incredible, and I’m still motivated to fight. These next couple of years are going to be awesome.

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Listen to entire interview… (beginning at 1:34:15)