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November 5th, 2008 is a date that will live in infamy for World Extreme Cagefighting and mixed martial arts in general, because thatʼs the date Mike Brown defeated the seemingly unbeatable Urijah Faber for the WEC Featherweight Title. Not only did that defeat end Urijah Faberʼs WEC Featherweight Title reign, but it also ended Urijah Faberʼs thirteen fight winning streak. The only prior loss suffered by Urijah Faber came to current UFC lightweight fighter Tyson Griffin, which was over three years ago.
On that same night, rising star Leonard Garcia got his second straight WEC victory, this time over MMA legend Jens Pulver. Though unofficially, this fight between Leonard Garcia and Jens Pulver was considered a top contender fight for a future WEC Featherweight Title opportunity. Which, if true, means that Leonard Garcia is the top contender to the WEC Featherweight Title, but then what happens to former champion Urijah Faber?
So that poses the question, who really is the top contender to the WEC Featherweight Title, Urijah Faber or Leonard Garcia?
If this situation where to be resolved in pro wrestling storylines, then the long time adage of the former champion instantly getting a rematch would come into play. Which if were true for mixed martial arts was one and the same, would mean Urijah Faber would be first in line for a title shot.
When you think about Urijah Faber in the WEC, you have to think about his domination of the WEC Featherweight Division as its champion. There is no champion in the WEC, past or present and possibly future, who was as ever as dominant as Urijah Faber was.
While not as dominating as Urijah Faber has been in the WEC, Leonard Garcia is undefeated in the WEC with two victories total. Those two victories in the WEC for Leonard Garcia came over Hiroyuki Takaya at WEC 32 and Jens Pulver at WEC 36. Those two fights lasted a total time of two minutes and forty three seconds for Leonard Garcia, which shows how dominant he has been thus far in the WEC.
You must also look at it as well from the point of view of the current WEC Featherweight Champion Mike Brown, who defeated Urijah Faber for the title. First, Mike Brown does have the opportunity to face Urijah Faber one more time and potentially could put to rest any notions that his first victory over the former champion was a fluke. Also, Mike Brown does have the opportunity to potentially score another big victory of his career by possibly defeating Leonard Garcia, who is undefeated in WEC competition and is a former UFC competitor.
There are three possible solutions to put this situation to a rest once and for all that could placate the top contenders and the champion. First, the WEC could instantly put together a rematch between champion Mike Brown and Urijah Faber, with Leonard Garcia waiting for the winner.
Secondly, WEC Featherweight Champion Mike Brown could face Leonard Garcia, with Urijah Faber waiting for the winner. Finally, Leonard Garcia could face Urijah Faber with the winner face WEC Featherweight Champion Mike Brown in the future.
One thing is for sure, that there is a WEC Featherweight Champion in Mike Brown and there are two top contenders in Urijah Faber and Leonard Garcia. The one thing that isnʼt for certain is the question of who is the top contender for the WEC Featherweight Title, Urijah Faber or Leonard Garcia?
You can contact David Tees at bigtees360@yahoo.com
