First of all I want to say it was a close fight. Cruz was more busy but I feel Faber was more effective . Cruz had cuts on his face while Uriah was good enough to go out to the club with no one thinking he was in a fight. I'm not a Uriah fan but the way the judges and some media outlets are trying to make it sound like it was so one sided for Cruz sickens me. I love the fact Cruz has his own unique individual style that confuses the **** out of people but I feel because he was the younger man while Faber kinda getting up there in years determined a little edge for Cruz. Anyhow let me get to the point. In a rematch I feel Uriah will get Cruz. The first fight Cruz was green. The 2nd fight Cruz was just as he said," a completely different fighter". Uriah was having trouble figuring out Cruz' style but he fought a good fight and timed Cruz a good number of times but couldn't finish the job. The third fight if it happens I think Faber finishes the job . What you all think?
As it stands now, I'd go with Cruz because, while Faber landed the significant shots, Cruz scored points with the judges by making Urijah look like a raging bull against the matador and by landing a lot of pitter patter stuff. However, if Faber tightens up his footwork he has the hands and power to dent what I think might be a china chin.
I think Faber takes the 3rd fight as well but it won't, by any means whatsoever, be an easy task. I think it'll be a fairly close fight but Urijah, if he does his work right, and having the experience of having been in there for 25 minutes with the "new" Cruz will be more effective in his timing.
Faber has a chance, but I believe Cruz will be the favorite. I think Faber has the superior gas tank, so he needs to keep the pressure on. It looked like Cruz was fatiguing, but just not bad enough for Faber to capitalize. I wouldn't try a lot of take downs early, if I were Faber. Cruz looks to have excellent core strength, and I think Faber will burn more energy going for the take down than Cruz will defending it. Unless he has uncanny power, Cruz can't punch that hard with his feet that close together. Faber needs to work on making his punches shorter, and get inside on Cruz. I think Faber can take Cruz' shots a lot better than Cruz can take Faber's. Faber should also remember that hook to the body that finished Pulver. I think Faber should make Cruz work very hard early, and hope to take the fight in the 3rd and beyond.
Cruz is light years better than he was when they first fought and got submitted. Faber is as game as they come but Cruz by decision again.
yea i think cruz has a very unorthodox fighting position therefore it will be hard for faber to figure him out.
Cruz outclasses him badly this time..... First time ive seen Faber not impressed atall, looked like a beiber wannabe with a few muscles!
I thought Urijah won the rematch. Nearly everytime he landed clean he dropped Cruz and I think if he steps it up along with having the experience of 25 minutes fighting agianst the style he will win it clearly in a 3rd bout. Only problem is to the judges it looks like Cruz is winning because of the way Urijah is just charging after him.
I think it's a balance thing with Cruz regarding those kd's. He can get caught with his feet close together and that is obviously no good for balance. Was it 3 times he was kd and he got right back up and didnt look fazed. Uriah needs to stop head hunting in the rematch and maybe throw a few leg kicks and body shots into the mix. He has a better gas tank than Cruz and if he could find a way to step in and punish the body before Cruz circles out and resets he'll have a much easier time finding the KO punch if he can be patient and wait till the last 10 minutes before he tries to go for a finish. It was obvious this tactic wasnt working for Faber and he did nothing to adjust Close fight, but when you are outstruck 3-1, I dont think you can complain to the Judges and expect the kd's to win you the fight when you are at best even in the grappling, which is Uriah's strength
Agree with Stoo on the balance thing, Cruz never looked hurt, but if he gets caught he's more likely to get knocked down because he's constantly moving and isn't really set.
Not saying Uriah doesnt hit damn hard. Just not hard enough to sway the other factors in Cruz' favour when Judging the fight
It was a strange fight to score because it was very close but I still had Cruz winning 49-46. For me he was doing just a little bit more in most of the rounds.
