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Urijah Faber may not be stepping into the UFC Octagon anytime soon, but at 45, the legendary “California Kid” isn’t entirely done with competition. Despite last fighting under MMA rules in 2019, Faber remains under UFC contract, keeping his options open for the right opportunities—whether in grappling, combat jiu-jitsu, or even unconventional matchups that play to his strengths and longevity in the sport.
Faber recently displayed his grappling prowess in Abu Dhabi, where he defeated Bibiano Fernandes via decision in the main event of ADXC 5. Speaking with MMA Fighting, Faber reflected on his competitive future, noting that while another MMA fight isn’t at the top of his list, he won’t completely rule it out. “I stay in the drug testing pool just because I don’t do drugs, and you never know if an opportunity presents itself,” Faber said. “But I likely will not be doing MMA [again]. But you never know.”
Combat Jiu-Jitsu: A New Frontier For Urijah Faber
Rather than pursuing an MMA return, Faber is drawn to combat jiu-jitsu, a growing discipline that blends jiu-jitsu with open-handed strikes, adding a tactical layer to the grappling game. Faber’s love for jiu-jitsu is no secret; his style at Team Alpha BJJ has always emphasized practical, real-world techniques applicable to both MMA and self-defense.
“Combat jiu-jitsu, yes. More of this grappling, yes,” Faber shared, highlighting how he sees combat jiu-jitsu as the future. His grappling approach, which centers on “staying safe and being dangerous,” aligns well with combat jiu-jitsu’s rule set, allowing him to use his expertise without the high risks associated with MMA striking or bare-knuckle boxing.
Considering the UFC and Bare-Knuckle… But Only for the Right Matchup
Still bound by his UFC contract, Faber remains open to a return under the right conditions. His last Octagon appearance, a TKO loss to Petr Yan, came after a brief retirement. Prior to that, he had reminded fans of his finishing power by knocking out rising star Ricky Simon in just 46 seconds, a feat that underscored his enduring skills despite stepping back from full-time competition.
As for the potential of bare-knuckle fighting, Faber has had financial offers but hesitates due to the risks. “I’ve had some good offers money-wise for bare-knuckle, but I’m not trying to fight world champion boxers in bare-knuckle,” he explained. “I’ve got kids; I don’t want to break cheekbones and that kind of stuff, lose teeth.” But with Conor McGregor now part-owner of a bare-knuckle promotion, Faber hinted at the possibility of a more tailored matchup.
A Boxing Showdown with Jose Aldo?
A clash with his former rival Jose Aldo is another intriguing option. Aldo, who recently returned to the UFC with a dominating performance, has also tested himself in the boxing ring since his MMA hiatus. Faber and Aldo’s rivalry goes back to their WEC days, when Aldo won the featherweight title from Faber in 2010. Reuniting with Aldo in the boxing ring could serve as both a nostalgic showdown and a fresh chapter for two veterans looking to prove they’re still competitive in their mid-40s.
For now, Urijah Faber is keeping a foot in the combat sports world, driven by his passion for competition and his role as a leader at Team Alpha Male. While he may not be fighting for titles, he remains ready for any opportunity that aligns with his values and allows him to continue testing himself. “At [age] 45, I want to keep testing myself and keep staying active as an athlete,” Faber said. And for fans, that means there may still be more California Kid to come in surprising new forms.
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