Dominick Cruz vs. Team Alpha Male?
The last time Cruz stood across the cage from a champion out of Team Alpha Male, Cruz was choked out by the man who was the WEC Featherweight Division at the time.
To mention that Urijah Faber was the WEC Featherweight Champ at the time would be sugarcoating how big a deal Faber was.
The California Kid was the face of the WEC.
Things changed over time, Faber would lose the belt to Mike Brown, and Cruz would make his mark in the Bantamweight division.
A five-round war with Jose Aldo left Faber's knee in a state of peril and questions arose about whether or not "The California Kid" would come back.
Now, those questions have been answered, and Faber couldn't be happier.
WEC General Manager Reed Harris told MMA Junkie today, that the longest reigning Featherweight Champion in WEC history was finally cleared medically—he was finally given the go-ahead to compete in the WEC cage once again.
Said an MMA Junkie staff member on the bit of Breaking News:
"When his doctor told Urijah Faber he was medically cleared to fight, the former World Extreme Cagefighting champion instantly hopped to his feet, cheered, and began shadowboxing right there in the examination room... WEC General Manager Reed Harris, who accompanied Faber (23-4 MMA, 8-3 WEC) to the checkup, knew right then that a November WEC 52 fight with Takeya Mizugaki (13-4-2 MMA, 2-2 WEC) was good to go."
So now the Urijah Faber-Takeya Mizugaki war that was supposed to co-headline WEC 50 this past Wednesday will now see action on an otherwise-yet-to-be-official WEC 52 card.
With Mizugaki and Faber both in the cage, I wouldn't expect anything less than an outstanding fight in what should be a clash of two contrasting styles when Mizugaki's Boxing and Shooto skills meet up with Faber's submission, Kickboxing and Wrestling expertise.
Let's not forget that both men are game to go the entire fight if it means possibly winning the fight—especially Mizugaki, who has eight career wins by decision.
Can Urijah come back from injury once again, or will Mizugaki find himself somewhere near the WEC Bantamweight title picture once again?
When The California Kid returns, we'll all find out.
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