URIJAH FABER SHOULDN’T SLEEP ON ASSUNCAO

It’s great that fight fans will get to see Urijah Faber back in the cage in the WEC. But is he getting a bit ahead of himself in his comeback effort?

Speaking with MMA Junkie radio, Faber said:

“I’m just excited to get back in the cage. I don’t want to look past Raphael Assuncao because he’s one of the top fighters in the world in my weight class. He throws down, and I’m focused on him right now. [But] a title shot right after that would be nice.”

You can give Faber the benefit of the doubt that he isn’t looking past Assuncao at WEC 46, but it sure sounds like he is. And that would be a mistake.

This isn’t Assuncao’s 1st rodeo. He’s 2-0 in the WEC and he’s won his last 6 fights. He hasn’t lost since 2006, when he took Jeff Curran the distance here in Chicago at XFO 13. That’s the only loss on his record. He’s also beaten Joe Lauzon and Jorge Masvidal. He provided the highlight of the night just over a year ago at IHC 12 when he knocked out Joe Pearson in just :12. Raphael Assuncao is for real.

The WEC has come a long way from its earlier days. The competition is tremendously better. Faber’s last 4 fights have been 2 losses to Mike Brown and 2 wins over Jens Pulver. Now he fights Assuncao, who is a top level fighter in the division. Dreams of fighting Jose Aldo are a good thing. But Faber better not sleep on Assuncao. Because a loss to him and Faber heads to the back of line.

WEC 46: January 10, 2010, Arco Arena, California

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