There’s a powerful story here about rivalry, resilience, and the complex psychology that fuels legendary battles inside the MMA cage. And trust me, this isn’t just about fighters throwing punches; it’s about understanding what drives people to see enemies as catalysts for their growth—and how these rivalries can shape careers and characters in ways many fans overlook. But here’s where it gets controversial: some might argue that what appears to be mutual respect later on is just strategic politeness, masking deeper unresolved tensions. So, how much do these fierce competitors really see in each other? And what does it say about the human desire for challenge and recognition?
Dominick Cruz and Urijah Faber’s contentious journey spanned over nine years, culminating in a rivalry that not only defined their careers but also captivated fans around the world. Their first encounter took place at WEC 26 in March 2007, when Faber, then 27, defended his featherweight title against a 22-year-old Cruz. Faber secured victory via submission in a quick 98 seconds, an outcome that sparked a fierce, ongoing rivalry lasting until 2017—by which time both fighters had cemented their legendary status.
That initial defeat might seem minor, but Cruz admits it was a turning point—an ignition for his future motivation. On his Love & War podcast, Cruz revealed how he credits that loss as the fuel that propelled him to success. “Whether I wanted to admit it or not, you were pretty much the rocket ship for my career early on,” he shared with Faber. “Losing to you lit a fire under my ass.”
However, Cruz’s assertion might underestimate just how profound that loss was for him. After that, Cruz went on a remarkable winning streak, not losing again until 2016. Over those years, he amassed 13 consecutive victories, defending his UFC titles twice against Faber, their rematch and trilogy taking place at bantamweight (135 pounds). During this period, their rivalry was marked by intense exchanges—both verbal and physical—and a rivalry fueled by contrasting personalities. Cruz often appeared calm, analytical, and detached, while Faber exuded California cool—confident and relaxed.
According to Cruz, much of these perceptions were deliberate. His tough upbringing played a significant role in shaping his attitude. Cruz shared that his father was a meth addict, often absent, which meant Cruz had to shoulder the responsibilities of caring for his mother, grandmother, and brother from a young age. These early trauma experiences deeply influenced how he approached fighting and his interactions with others.
“I didn’t realize at the time, but I carried a lot of toxic traits from my father—becoming very codependent and developing strange habits around love and trust,” Cruz explained. “Love always felt unsafe, so I would suppress it, and when I started to feel it, I’d get angry or shut people out. Anyone who tried to get close or show kindness, I pushed away.”
As Cruz matured, he realized the importance of genuine connection—the real ‘meat’ of life—and how love could be a source of strength rather than weakness. He explained how his focus was initially on saving his family from hardship, which pushed him to embody a love-driven mindset, albeit out of anger and frustration. This was the version of Cruz that Faber encountered—focused, relentless, often appearing aloof.
Faber, for his part, expressed respect and admiration for Cruz’s openness. His background differences contributed to his more upbeat and approachable demeanor. Despite their rivalry, he appreciated the challenge Cruz represented and even enjoyed the role of having an adversary.
“Honestly, I liked having an enemy—I didn’t have many,” Faber admitted. “When I found out I had one in you, I thought, ‘F*ck, I’ve got someone to go after,’ and it motivated me. I respected that you were committed to your craft—that you did those intense runs early in the mornings, which made me think you’d be trouble because you had that championship mindset. I knew you were on the right track.”
Their rematch occurred at UFC 132, after the UFC absorbed the WEC roster. Cruz, then reigning champion, edged Faber with a unanimous decision in a gripping five-round contest. Later, at UFC 199 in June 2016, Cruz faced Faber again, as a reigning bantamweight champion, and secured another unanimous decision victory.
During these intense moments, their interactions included plenty of trash talk—mostly personal—that served both as genuine rivalry and as a way to sell fights to the captivated audiences. Cruz reflected on how he thrived in these emotionally charged conflicts but also learned from Faber’s optimistic outlook.
“Looking back, I’ve realized I thrived in scarcity,” Cruz said. “I’d operate better when there was pressure, but as I matured, I learned about abundance—that mindset was missing from me back then. I noticed you always looked on the bright side, which annoyed me at first. I’d think, ‘F*ck you, it’s not fine,’ and that made me more angry. But I started analyzing what you did differently and thought maybe I could incorporate some of that positivity into my own mindset.”
Faber, amused by Cruz’s attempt to decipher his psychology, teased that Cruz was always cautious, suspecting Faber of having a hidden agenda in their exchanges.
“You’d say, ‘He’s using that against me,’” Faber chuckled. “But I think that’s just part of your thinking—because we’d get along for a few days, then suddenly switch back to being rivals. You’d accuse me of faking the friendliness, and I’d say, ‘That’s just how it is when you’re about to fight someone for real.’ It was all very intense.”
Throughout their conversation, they shared many laughs and reminisced about how naïve they were early on—both in how they presented themselves and regarding the massive stage they’d eventually be on. Cruz joked about how the first fight looked comically unprepared—his pajama pants, for example—while Faber recalled their first bout’s hilarious comparison: Cruz’s hair resembling Lloyd Christmas from “Dumb and Dumber,” and Faber’s appearance as if he just emerged from a van.
Neither of them realized at the time just how monumental these encounters would become, nor how millions of viewers would be glued to their every move. Cruz admitted, “I had no idea that fight would become so historic. I was just worried about surviving.” Their journey together reveals the unpredictable nature of rivalry—how it can elevate fighters, forge friendships, and teach us all about resilience and growth—even in the face of fierce competition.
