Former WEC Champions Faber, Bowles Called to UFC 139 Battle
Brian Knapp Jul 21, 2011
Urijah
Faber (Pictured; file photo) and Brian
Bowles, two former
WEC champions, have verbally committed to meet in a featured
bantamweight tilt at
UFC 139 “Velasquez vs. Dos Santos” on Nov. 19 at the HP
Pavilion in San Jose, Calif.
UFC officials on Thursday revealed the proposed matchup at 135
pounds.
Faber (25-5, 1-1 UFC) last competed at UFC 132 on July 2, when he failed in his bid to dethrone Dominick Cruz and lost to the reigning bantamweight champion by unanimous decision at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The 32-year-old Team Alpha Male founder has secured more than half (13) of his 25 professional victories by submission. Wins over former UFC lightweight champion Jens Pulver (twice), 2009 Dream featherweight grand prix winner Bibiano Fernandes and onetime WEC featherweight titleholder Cole Escovedo anchor Faber’s stellar resume. One of MMA’s most charismatic figures, he wrestled collegiately at the University of California, Davis.
Like Faber, Bowles (10-1, 2-0 UFC) made a successful appearance at UFC 132, as he outpointed former WEC bantamweight title contender Takeya Mizugaki en route to a unanimous decision. Based at the Hardcore Gym in Athens, Ga., the 31-year-old’s career was interrupted by a series of injuries in 2010. A potent offensive fighter, Bowles has delivered nine of his 10 wins by knockout, technical knockout or submission. On a modest two-fight winning streak, he owns notable victories over two-time Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion Marcos Galvao, Jackson’s Mixed Martial Arts representative Damacio Page (twice) and former WEC bantamweight king Miguel Torres.
Though not yet set in stone, UFC 139 figures to be headlined by a five-round heavyweight title bout between unbeaten champion Cain Velasquez and surging No. 1 contender Junior dos Santos.
Faber (25-5, 1-1 UFC) last competed at UFC 132 on July 2, when he failed in his bid to dethrone Dominick Cruz and lost to the reigning bantamweight champion by unanimous decision at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The 32-year-old Team Alpha Male founder has secured more than half (13) of his 25 professional victories by submission. Wins over former UFC lightweight champion Jens Pulver (twice), 2009 Dream featherweight grand prix winner Bibiano Fernandes and onetime WEC featherweight titleholder Cole Escovedo anchor Faber’s stellar resume. One of MMA’s most charismatic figures, he wrestled collegiately at the University of California, Davis.
Like Faber, Bowles (10-1, 2-0 UFC) made a successful appearance at UFC 132, as he outpointed former WEC bantamweight title contender Takeya Mizugaki en route to a unanimous decision. Based at the Hardcore Gym in Athens, Ga., the 31-year-old’s career was interrupted by a series of injuries in 2010. A potent offensive fighter, Bowles has delivered nine of his 10 wins by knockout, technical knockout or submission. On a modest two-fight winning streak, he owns notable victories over two-time Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion Marcos Galvao, Jackson’s Mixed Martial Arts representative Damacio Page (twice) and former WEC bantamweight king Miguel Torres.
Though not yet set in stone, UFC 139 figures to be headlined by a five-round heavyweight title bout between unbeaten champion Cain Velasquez and surging No. 1 contender Junior dos Santos.
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