UFC legend Urijah Faber returns from retirement and leaves commentators stunned with knockout win
UFC Hall of Famer Urijah Faber made a crowd-pleasing return to the octagon in his home town of Sacramento on Saturday night, and delivered a stunning knockout win that had the crowd – and commentators – on their feet.
Forty-year-old Faber took on rising bantamweight contender Ricky Simon, but the veteran fighter known as ‘The California Kid’ rolled back the years to deliver a stunning finish.
After walking to the octagon to his familiar entrance music, 2Pac’s ‘California Love’, Faber wasted no time in imposing his experience and power on his young, hungry opponent.
And when he connected with a huge right hand early on, he saw his opportunity to finish.
The shot sent Simon stumbling to the canvas, and the UFC legend finished the job with ground strikes to secure a 46-second knockout win and announce his return to the UFC’s bantamweight division in spectacular fashion.
Wooahhhhhh 🔥Urijah Faber knocks out Ricky Simon 46 seconds into his comeback fight!The California Kid is back baby 😎 #UFCSacramentopic.twitter.com/5UbQwZOr2L
— UFC on BT Sport (@btsportufc) July 14, 2019
The finish wowed the fans in the stands at the Golden 1 Center, home of the NBA’s Golden State Warriors. And it also had commentator Brendan Fitzgerald and co-commentator (and fellow UFC Hall of Famer) Michael Bisping excited.
I mean that night was just bananas. As I was writing the stat in my notes for Urijah’s last KO (2007!), I had a hunch I would need it, but thought it was wishful thinking. Nope. Incredible night! #UFCSacramento (PS - I sound cooler than I look apparently) pic.twitter.com/SsCBrxVXGo
— Brendan Fitzgerald (@BrendanFitzTV) July 14, 2019
The night’s main event saw former UFC women’s featherweight champion Germaine de Randamie claim a 16-second finish of Aspen Ladd, while two of Faber’s Team Alpha Male teammates, Josh Emmett and Andre Fili, also claimed big wins.
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