INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Dominick Cruz defended his UFC bantamweight title on Saturday night, seeing off hated rival Urijah Faber by unanimous decision in an absorbing contest at The Forum.
Cruz had too much guile for Faber, who again fell short in the fourth unsuccessful title shot of his UFC career and lost by 50-45 on two scorecards and 49-46 on a third.
Now 30, Cruz has seen much of his career disrupted by a series of injuries, but again showed why he is one of the finest pound-for-pound fighters in the organization by winning his 13th straight in the co-main event of UFC 199.
"Cruz fought a perfect fight," Faber said. "I can’t say anything."
The rivalry between this pair is fierce and based on strong mutual dislike. It dates back to when they first met in 2007, when Faber was the star of WEC and racked up a victory under that organization’s banner — Cruz’s only defeat.
Cruz got his revenge at UFC 132 in 2011, and this would seem to have been the rubber match, unlikely to be repeated. The bad blood spilled over at the end of the third round, with Cruz appearing to utter at taunt in Faber’s direction as the men returned to their corners. Faber responded by shoving Cruz, and referee Herb Dean had to step in.
Faber’s best chances of landing himself some UFC hardware may now have passed, and he has a looming decision as to whether to prolong his career. At 37, the powers of his peak are unlikely to suddenly reappear. Cruz dropped him to the canvas in both the second and fourth rounds and was dominant throughout, with Faber’s ground skills and heart keeping him from being stopped inside the distance.
Follow Martin Rogers on Twitter @mrgoersUSAT.
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