Combat Sports

/ by Dalton Johnson
Combat Sports

For Urijah Faber, age really is just a number. Even at 40 years old. 

Faber (35-10-0) was back in the octagon for the first time since retiring in December 2016 and only needed 46 seconds to beat 26-year-old Ricky Simon (15-2-0) on Saturday at Golden 1 Center in the co-main event at UFC Fight Sacramento. "The California Kid" hammered Simon with a right-hand jab and then it was off to the races for the hometown hero. 

Faber, a +260 underdog by Caesar's Palace, earned his first win by knockout since 2007. The 46-second victory was the fastest in his UFC career. He now has the second-most bantamweight wins in UFC history. 

"I love fighting for Sacramento," Faber said after his win. "Props to Ricky Simon. That kid is gonna be a terror in this weight class. He has the right mentality, but he's just not there yet. It takes time, baby. Experience." 

 

Faber, a world-class wrestler, said he learned the right-hand jab from Song Yadong, a Chinese prophet who trains out of Team Alpha Male. 

"He [Simon] had a big target there, not to be mean," Faber said. "I was like, 'I'm gonna hit this dude's head, for sure.'" 

It doesn't sound like he's done, too. Faber called out Henry Cejudo and has his eyes on the bantamweight belt. 

"I gotta get it now, before it's too late," Faber said about going for the championship belt.

Faber proved he's plenty capable of still fighting at 40 years old, and he could have more in his future.