The rubber match is upon us and their can be only one winner.
The co-main event features a rubber match between two of the best bantamweights in the division’s history. To say Dominick Cruz and Urijah Faber aren’t the best of friends would be an understatement. Hell, to say that they hate each other is a bit of an understatement as well. These two men have had bad blood since the first time they faced each other in the WEC. Back then Faber was the Featherweight champion and number one in the world, while Cruz was the young prospect unknown to the masses, set up as fodder for the champ to quickly dispose of. As things turned out, it played out as the mismatch it was intended to be. Since then, Cruz has gone undefeated, impressing more and more with every victory, including one over his rival Faber. Now one and one, the two men will settle things in this rubber match that is sure to put a capper on the rivalry. A wizard of movement, Dominick Cruz has blended his kickboxing game with potent wrestling to make a style all his own. He’s fleet of foot, nearly impossible to hit, and knows how to win. Perhaps the biggest knock on Cruz is his lack of finishes, a drawback of his constant movement. He never stays in one place long enough to plant his feet and fire hard power shots. But in the scrambles he can be vicious, especially if he gets his man down as Takeya Mizugaki found out the hard way. Cruz did face some trouble in his last bout with TJ Dillashaw’s leg kicking game, but Cruz is a tactical fighter and will likely have made the adjustments needed to fend off that particular chink in his armor. Urijah Faber is perhaps the most talented fighter to never hold a UFC belt. Though he was the WEC Featherweight champion for years it still looks the gravitas that being UFC champion holds. Faber is explosive, knows when to recover his gas tank, and does extremely well in scrambles. The problem for Faber in this match is that his weapons are far more limited than Cruz’s own. Faber knows how to finish fights, but doing so against a defensive based fighter like Cruz will prove to be a tall task. Faber will have to add some kicks to his game, time takedowns, and throw plethora of different punches in order clip Cruz. For all the talent, charisma, and athleticism that Faber possesses it just isn’t enough to overcome an all around fighter like Cruz. The champion knows when to strike, when to avoid offense, and exactly when to mix up his wrestling to throw off his opponent’s rhythm. Look for Dominick Cruz to beat Urijah Faber by unanimous decision, ending their long feud. Who do you think will be taking home the Bantamweight strap? Follow Generation Iron MMA on Facebook and Twitter. Also, be sure to share, like, and comment to show your support.
Jonathan Salmon is a writer, martial arts instructor, and geek culture enthusiast. Check out his Twitter and Facebook to keep up with his antics.
