Urijah Faber has had a storied MMA career, and it may not be done just yet.

In 2016, Faber retired from MMA following a decision win over Brad Pickett, with plans on focusing on his coaching and other projects. But as MMA retirements often go, Faber’s didn’t last long. After teasing a potential return for some time, in 2019, Faber made a comeback, knocking out rising prospect Ricky Simon. He lost his next fight to Petr Yan and. since then, Faber has been on the sideline, saying he wasn’t retired but would return for the right opportunity, and with the UFC back to allowing fans at events, Faber says the time may be upon us once again.

“I was definitely not planning on the whole shutdown of the entire world and, at that time, having a baby on the way and a newborn,” Faber told The Schmo. “I fight because I love it, it’s a good time, the entire experience. Not having a crowd, I was definitely not going to fight. Now that the crowd’s back, I wouldn’t put it past.”

Faber hasn’t competed since December of 2019 but that has not stopped bantamweights from calling out the UFC Hall of Famer. As one of the biggest names in the division, even when retired, Faber is often the target of fantasy matchmaking for rising fighters, especially as Faber still coaches several fighters who compete in the UFC. One man though, above all others, seems to have captured Faber’s interest for a possible return: Marlon Vera.

“I’ve heard maybe seven or eight guys that have called me out, maybe asked for the fight, some respectfully, some disrespectfully,” Faber said. “Chito Vera, he’s one of the guys. That would be an interesting matchup. It’s funny, the whole thing that happened with him and Song Yadong. He was all bent out of shape about that fight. Backstage his whole team was ranting and raving and I said, ‘Guy, you can always do it again,’ and he goes, ‘Why don’t you fight me?’ So I said right in from of Song, ‘You don’t want to fight Song again?’ ‘Oh I do, buh-buh-buh.’ But he hasn’t said a word about Song. That would be a good one though, old Chito Vera.”

Vera fought Team Alpha Male fighter Song Yadong in May of last year, losing a controversial unanimous decision that Vera was absolutely livid about. Since then, Vera has repeatedly called for a bout with Faber. “The California Kid” though, says that if it were to happen, he would need some time to get back into the groove, but if the UFC wants it, he’s ready to make another comeback.

“I would probably, if I was going to compete, need to get back into Rocky mode and it would take me a couple months, but I’m not opposed to getting in a good old fist-fight,” Faber said. “Fun, you get paid, part of your passion, so don’t count the idea out. I’ll have a sit down with Sean Shelby and maybe Dana White and see if they think it’s a good idea to get back in there but I’m always game.”

Faber is the former WEC featherweight champion and a four-time UFC title challenger. He was inducted into the UFC Hall of Famer in 2017 and has a career record of 35-11.

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FINAL THOUGHTS

It’s good to be back! I was dealing with a particularly unfortunate case of the flu this past week so shoutout to Alexander Lee for picking up my slack. Happy to be back with you hooligans.

Thanks for reading, enjoy the fights, and see y’all on Monday.

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