Urijah Faber is an American mixed martial artist and occasional actor, best known for his achievements in the bantamweight and featherweight divisions of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He rose to prominence as a World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) Featherweight Champion and is widely regarded as a pioneer in lighter-weight MMA divisions.
Urijah Christopher Faber was born on May 14, 1979, in Isla Vista, California. He comes from a diverse ethnic background: his mother, Suzanne Faber, is of Italian, English, and Irish descent, while his father, Theo Faber, has Dutch heritage. He has two siblings: a brother, Ryan Faber, and a sister, Michaella Tastad.
Faber attended the University of California, Davis, where he earned a degree in Human Development. While at UC Davis, he was an NCAA Division I wrestler, a background that laid the foundation for his future in mixed martial arts. He has often credited his parents for supporting his aspirations and being positive influences throughout his journey.
Faber began his professional MMA career on November 12, 2003, with a submission victory over Poes Manne via guillotine choke. He followed this with a victory against George Adkins on February 12, 2004, using strikes to secure a win. On March 17, 2006, Faber captured the WEC Featherweight Championship by defeating Cole Escovedo via second-round doctor stoppage. He later claimed a victory over Charlie Valencia to win the King of the Cage Bantamweight Championship with a first-round rear-naked choke.
Known for his high pace, durability, and wrestling-based style, Faber became a fan favorite. His tenure in the WEC included multiple title defenses and notable battles against fighters such as Jens Pulver and Mike Brown. When the WEC merged with the UFC in 2010, Faber transitioned to the bantamweight division, where he continued to fight elite competition, including Dominick Cruz and Renan Barão.
In 2004, Faber founded Team Alpha Male (TAM), an MMA training center based in Sacramento, California. It quickly became one of the sport’s premier gyms, producing top-level fighters in the featherweight and bantamweight divisions. Faber played an integral role not only as a competitor but also as a coach and mentor to younger fighters.
He announced his retirement from professional fighting on December 17, 2016, after securing a decision win against Brad Pickett in his hometown. His contributions to the sport were formally acknowledged when he was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2017.
Despite his retirement, Faber returned to the Octagon in July 2019 and defeated rising contender Ricky Simon via first-round TKO, proving his skill and competitiveness even after a lengthy break.
Urijah Faber is currently not married but has been known to maintain a private approach to his personal life. He has been romantically linked to Kristi Randel, who has been seen with him at various events. Their relationship has received support from Faber’s family, particularly his mother Suzanne, who has shared photos of the couple on social media platforms.
While it remains unclear whether Faber and Randel will take their relationship to the next level, they have appeared to be a committed pair. Regardless of his relationship status, Faber continues to be active in both the fighting community and public appearances.
| Birth Date: | 14 May, 1979 |
| Age: | 41 yrs |
| Citizenship: | United States of America |
| Birth Place: | Isla Vista |
| Education: | University of California, Davis |
| Gender: | Male |
| Description: | American mixed martial artist |
| Net Worth 2021: | 9 million |
