Local cage fighter in WEC showdown

Chance Farrar isn't one to back down from a fight - even if the odds aren't stacked in his favor. Nearly everything will be against the Yuma native come Sunday when he steps into the caged octagon with heavily favored WEC Bantamweight (136-145 pounds) Champion Urijah Faber in WEC LIVE on Versus! at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. Faber has lost only once in 19 professional cage fights.

"I heard it was around 8-1," Farrar, 32, said of the oddsmakers' line. "I've really always wanted to fight Urijah Faber. He has been the champion for years. I have always envisioned fighting him one day. So when the opportunity came I couldn't resist."

Farrar is as loose as he's been prior to any of his five professional mixed martial arts fights - mostly through Total Combat.

"More or less, I have nothing to lose," said Farrar, who took his first fight in November 2005. "I am not getting any younger."

Farrar (5-0-0) signed a four-fight contract with World Extreme Cagefighting, which was purchased by UFC early in 2007. Heavyweights garner the spotlight in the UFC but by buying the WEC it affords the top MMA organization going a high-profile venue to showcase the lighter weights.

The nine-card fight will be the first WEC event to be televised live. The 145-pound, five-round title bout of Farrar vs. Faber became the main event when 170-pounder Carlos Condit (20-4-0) could not make make his bout with Brock Larson (20-0-1). Instead, Larson will fight Kevin Knabjian (7-2-1).

"(Faber) was looking for a fight, several guys backed out and I stepped up," Farrar said. "It was all about timing."

This will be the biggest fight of Farrar's young career. He remained unbeaten in five outings (2 TKO, 2 KO, 1 no contest) with another dominating performance March 31 at Paradise Casino. He knocked out Shad Smith in Total Combat 19 in the first round. Only one of Farrar's opponents have seen the second round.

"I see the fight as I have nothing to lose and everything to gain," Farrar said. "It takes the pressure off - which should allow me to better demonstrate what I am able to do."

Faber (18-0-1, 7 TKO, 8 submission, 2 decisions, 1 DQ), who hails from Sacramento, Calif., hence his "California Kid" moniker, holds two other bantamweight title belts - King of the Cage and Gladiator Challenge. At 28, he is arguably the most widely known of the lightweight mixed-martial arts fighters in the world and has become the posterboy of the WEC.

The Kid has been heavily promoting the WEC and the upcoming fight on Versus, conducting numerous print and radio interviews and open workouts.

Faber has never had a bout decided by the judges and is riding a 10-fight win streak.

His only loss was to Tyson Griffin, who was 2-0 at the time, in Gladiator Challenge 42 - Summer Slam - on Sept. 9, 2005 with 5 seconds left in the final round. Faber's first professional MMA fight was late in 2003.

Faber's most recent fight was March 24 at WEC 26 in Las Vegas - a first-round guillotine submission (1:38) over previously unbeaten Dominic Cruz.

Known as a powerful and merciless ground and pounder, Faber has also shown some versatility and growth as a fighter with his use of submissions.

The fighters have similar styles - both have extensive wrestling backgrounds, are noted strikers and well versed in submissions.

"I plan to use my length. I'm a rangy south paw, comparatively speaking to him," Farrar said. "I think my wrestling is comparable to his. As long as I can use that balance and use my reach, I should be alright.

"I don't want to be underneath him he throws hard elbows from the top."

Faber was featured in MSNBC's four-part "Warrior Nation" documentary that aired Jan. 9.

"I've watched several of his fights live," Farrar said. "By all accounts, he is a champion in and out of the cage - mentally and physically he is tough. He is an all-around dangerous guy."

Farrar, who is also a U.S. Border Patrol agent, continues to train with The Boxing Club of San Diego and helps promote Yuma Mixed Martial Arts, which he helped start.

In addition to being physically fit, Farrar plans to be mentally ready as well, playing out the bout in his mind over and over - with him pulling the MMA upset of year each and every time.

"I go over it daily, hourly. I think mental preparation goes a long way," Farrar said. "The fact that his (Faber's) notoriety, the fact that he is everywhere, it is easy for me to stay focused on him. Where as with him, I am just some bum. He has made several statements on the radio saying that I am not at his level.

"Ultimately, I aim to prove him wrong."

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ON TELEVISION

- WHAT: Farrar vs. Faber

- WHEN: 6 p.m. Sunday

- TV: Versus (Time Warner Digital Ch. 502; Direct TV Ch. 608; Dish Network Ch. 151)

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TALE OF THE TAPE

CHANCE FARRAR:

- RECORD: 5-0-0

- DIVISION: Bantamweight

- TITLES: None

- AGE: 32

- HOMETOWN: Yuma

URIJAH FABER (The California Kid)

- RECORD: 18-1-0

- DIVISION: Bantamweight

- TITLES: WEC, King of the Cage, and Gladiator Challenge

- AGE: 28

- HOMETOWN: Sacramento, Calif.