Urijah Faber to join Republic FC ownership, talks Cruz and Mendes

(This story and video first appeared at KXTV’s News.10.net)

SACRAMENTO – The Republic FC will literally add a heavy hitter to its local investor group, as they announced UFC bantamweight contender Urijah Faber (31-7 MMA, 7-3 UFC) will join their team.

“There are a lot of big ballers in this thing and I’m definitely not one of the big ballers,” Faber told News10. “But I am somebody who believes in the cause and I’m excited to be a part of it.”

Lead investor Kevin Nagle recruited Faber along with Mark Friedman, Dave Lucchetti, Phil Oates and Jonna Ward among others who will join the group contingent on Major League Soccer granting the Republic FC an expansion franchise.

Faber on Dominick Cruz calling Team Alpha Male, Team Alpha Fail

Last weekend, Faber’s UFC rival Dominick Cruz (20-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC) returned to the octagon after a three year absence, defeating Takeya Mizugaki by a 1st round TKO at UFC 178.

After the fight, the former champion (who gave up the belt because of injury) called out Faber and Team Alpha Male, which includes current champion T.J. Dillashaw (11-2 MMA, 7-2 UFC)) calling them “Alpha Fails”.

“He looked great, and he had three years to make his great comeback and think of something witty to say and all he can say is that – that’s pretty funny,” said Faber. “At some point he is going to have to pay the piper on talking crap and probably get beat up in the process.”

Cruz will most likely fight Dillashaw for the bantamweight title before he fights Faber. A fight date has not been set by the UFC.

Faber on Chad Mendes fighting Jose Aldo for the UFC featherweight title on Oct. 25

Team Alpha Male’s Chad Mendes (16-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC) will have a chance to bring home a UFC belt back to Sacramento when he fights Jose Aldo (24-1 MMA, 6-0 UFC)) for the UFC featherweight title on Oct. 25 in Brazil at UFC 179.

Mendes will not only try to win the title, but avenge his only professional loss after losing to Aldo nearly three years ago at UFC 142.

“Aldo is the best pound-for-pound guy I ever fought, and Chad is the best pound-for-pound guy I’ve ever gone against in the gym,” said Faber. “Chad is a guy who has a long history as a wrestler, and he is a completely different fighter now. I think we are going to see Chad with the finish in the fourth round with a ground and pound or submission.”

For more on the UFC’s upcoming schedule, check out the UFC Rumors of the site.