UFC 149: Urijah Faber won't drop to flyweight, not sure what's next after Renan Barao loss

By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

Urijah Faber's loss to Renan Barao on Saturday night at UFC 149 dropped him to 0-5 in his last five title fights. It's a sobering record for a fighter who was so successful for a long time in the WEC, and it likely spells the end of Faber as a Championship challenger.

But it doesn't mean the end of Faber as a fighter just yet.

The 33-year-old former Champion remains a supremely dangerous fighter, but against a few certain styles of fighter, he's been unable to have much success. Barao's reach and power advantage were clear for much of Saturday's fight, and it left Faber unable to mount much successful or damaging offense of his own. So where does he go from here?

"I don't know," Faber responded at the UFC 149 post-fight press conference. "I fought a guy on a huge win streak and didn't get it done. I fought Dominick [Cruz], who is considered the champ right now, as well. I'm right there, it's just a matter of continuing to heal up and then reassess this thing."

While he doesn't have a clear idea of what's next, he did rule out one suggested idea: a move to the flyweight division.

"No way,? Faber scoffed, laughing as the question was asked of him. "I put on 18 pounds last night (after weigh-ins). I would probably not be here if I was attempting 125 lbs. No, 135 is where I'll be."

Penick's Analysis: It wasn't as if Faber was blown out by Barao last night, just as he wasn't blown out by Cruz last year, but losses in five straight title fights are going to keep him from being booked in another one anytime soon. That said, one thing working to his favor is the fact that there is very little in the way of top stars and challengers in the UFC's bantamweight division. Several potential names have already dropped to flyweight. Dominick Cruz has defeated the rest, and there's essentially Michael McDonald as a name coming to the top right now. More are sure to emerge, but the potential is there for Faber to still have one more run at a title fight in him. A trilogy fight with Dominick Cruz is still there as well, so if Cruz defeats Barao, Faber could potentially get the fight they were supposed to have after The Ultimate Fighter.

[Urijah Faber art by Grant Gould (c) MMATorch.com]

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