Image Courtesy: MMAFighting.com

In the third pay-per-view bout Urijah Faber used a great transition as Ivan Menjivar attempted to stand from a bottom position to take his back, and secured a rear naked choke in the 1st round of their Bantamweight matchup Saturday night.

Both men came out early swinging, with nothing really landing, Menjivar then hit an excellent judo throw to land in side control; however Faber quickly reversed Menjivar, and eventually ending up in Menjivar’s guard. Urijah then landed some good ground and pound from Menjivar’s guard, this continue till near the end of the round when Menjivar attempted to stand Faber made a beautiful move to take Menjivars back; using a crucifix. From there it was the beginning of the end, as “The California Kid” secured the rear naked submitting Menjivar at 4:34 of the very first round.

Faber improves to 3-2 in the UFC, with his only losses coming to the interim champ Renan Barrao, and current UFC Bantamweight champion, Dominick Cruz. For Menjivar, it’s his 2nd loss in his last 3 fights; however his overall UFC record stands at 4-2. Faber left no doubt who the better fighter was, as these two men had a controversially fight 7 years ago that ended in a DQ, however Faber proved tonight that he is the better fighter, and that he may not be done in challenging the top two fighters in the 135 lb. division. Faber’s smooth submission will definitely be in the running for the submission of the night, if it’s not already the overwhelming favorite.

Final Result:

Urijah Faber def. Ivan Menjivar via Submission Round 1.

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