Faber turns attention to third fight with Cruz

“Dominick, you can run, but you can’t hide, homeboy,” Faber said in the cage after his victory at UFC 139. “Throw some gel in that widow’s peak and let’s do some work. Let’s do battle.”

Faber and Cruz have already fought twice, with Faber winning when he was the WEC featherweight champion in 2007. Cruz retained his Ultimate Fighting Championship bantamweight title with a decision over Faber in an entertaining bout in July.

Faber thought he should have won the decision that night, saying the key this time will be “a new set of judges.”

He used the postfight news conference Saturday night to lobby UFC president Dana White on the idea of opposing Cruz as coaches on the next season of “The Ultimate Fighter” to promote the title fight.

White confirmed the two would meet for the belt, and though he wouldn’t announce the TUF coaching duties, he did acknowledge the possibility.

Cruz is currently out of action after undergoing another hand surgery, so the schedule would make sense, since the next TUF show is expected to begin filming in early 2012.

When the fight does happen, it will be the fourth title shot for Faber since losing his WEC belt back in 2008. Faber is eager to be champion again, but his rivalry with Cruz is perhaps even more meaningful.

“The belt’s one thing. The other thing is people have the idea Dominick’s the best guy out there,” Faber said. “He’s not tougher than I am, I know that. I can’t wait to get in there and fight again for the belt and show everyone who the man is.

“This is for the UFC title, but it’s a personal vendetta. We’re 1-1 now. It’s a trilogy. Let’s find out who’s the man for the rest of our lives. That’s important to me.”

■ CONDIT-KOSCHECK BOUT SET — A welterweight contender bout between Carlos Condit and Josh Koscheck was made official Monday.

The fight will take place at UFC 143 on Feb. 4 at Mandalay Bay.

Condit was expected to take on champion Georges St. Pierre at UFC 137 last month, but was replaced in the title bout by Nick Diaz.

■ UFC ON FOX 2 — While no fights have been announced, White did confirm a few details about the UFC’s second card televised on Fox.

The one-hour debut earlier this month featured one fight; the second broadcast will be two hours and include four bouts.

White said no fights have been finalized, though there should be some announcements in the coming weeks. The card, set for Jan. 28 at the United Center in Chicago, is not expected to include any title fights.

■ SILVA COULD FIGHT IN BRAZIL — White also did not dispute a Brazilian newspaper report that middleweight champion Anderson Silva’s next fight will take place in Sao Paulo, Brazil, in June.

When asked about the report at Saturday’s news conference, White smiled and questioned how these details always seem to get out.

“I don’t know if we’re going to Sao Paulo in June, and if Anderson Silva’s headlining the card,” he said. “No clue. That would be awesome, though.”

Silva, who is out with an injured shoulder, is expected to next defend his middleweight belt against Chael Sonnen. But if the champion is out until June, it is likely Sonnen could take another fight in the interim.

A spot on the Fox card is certainly a possibility for Sonnen, perhaps the best self-promoter in the sport.

■ WEEKEND RECAP — Ronda Rousey stole the show again Friday on the Strikeforce Challengers card at the Palms.

The 24-year-old former Olympic judo bronze medalist improved to 4-0 as a pro MMA fighter when she took just 39 seconds to submit Julia Budd by armbar. All of Rousey’s victories have been by armbar in less than a minute.

Rousey, who fights at 145 pounds, has expressed interest in dropping to 135 to fight Strikeforce champion Miesha Tate.

On the same card, Lumumba Sayers knocked out Antwain Britt in 28 seconds.

Fedor Emelianenko also snapped a three-fight losing streak by winning a unanimous decision over Jeff Monson on an M1 card in Moscow.

Contact reporter Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5509. Follow him on Twitter: @adamhilllvrj.