After three losses in five fights, former WEC featherweight champion, Urijah “the California Kid” Faber, is looking for new opportunities. Although he dominated his weight class for years, Faber has since passed the torch to current phenom, Jose Aldo. Now, the 31-year-old hopes to repeat his success in the bantamweight division.

“It sounds like [the WEC] wants me to go down to 35. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a long time, have some fights down there.”

Seemingly undersized even at 145 pounds, Faber doesn’t view the extra weight cut as an issue.

“All through college I was 133 pounds. I’m probably a natural [bantamweight], it won’t be difficult for me.”

While nothing has been confirmed, the bantamweight division offers a plethora of fresh opponents for “the California Kid.” Match ups with fighters like Brian Bowles, Miguel Torres and current champion, Dominick Cruz, could be barn burners.

“Not 100% sure when, but it’s going to be fairly soon.”

Pitting Faber against Scott Jorgensen or even Takeya Mizugaki would serve as a nice introduction to the new weight class.

(Source: Five Ounces of Pain)

Kim Couture, ex-wife of former UFC champion, Randy Couture, has been arrested on charges of domestic violence stemming from allegations that she choked her personal assistant. Sources have reported that Couture and her employee were engaged in a heated argument during the UFC Fan Expo last weekend. The confrontation apparently spilled over to the home they share.

Police arrived at the scene to find Couture choking her assistant. She was immediately arrested and booked into the Clark County Detention Center.

Couture has since posted bail and resumed training at her gym.

(Source: MMA News Leak)

In six years, WEC featherweight champion, Jose Aldo, has gone from complete obscurity to “overnight” sensation. Amassing a 17-1 record, Aldo has gained a wealth of new fans after dominating performances over the likes of Cub Swanson, Mike Brown and Urijah Faber.

Like clockwork, the fickle MMA community now wants more. After defeating Faber in his first title defense, some people have argued that Aldo should move up to the lightweight division and transition to the UFC. Company President, Dana White, doesn’t argue that Aldo has the ability to be successful elsewhere, he just thinks the champ should solidify his reign at featherweight first.

“Yeah, there’s a possibility he could move to 155. That’d be fun. I think that he should defend his title a couple more times.”

With lighting fast striking, slick Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and pure aggression rivaling the Tasmanian Devil, Aldo has seemed nearly unstoppable during his rise to the championship. Nevertheless, White still sees some room for improvement and firmly believes that Aldo can take his game to a new level.

“He had a dominant performance against Urijah, but I think he could have done better. I think he could have stopped him. The more times you get in there, you start to feel more and more comfortable. After guys get some experience and get a couple of big fights under their belt, this place starts to feel like home, [and] they turn it up to a whole other level.”

As fans clamor to see the superstar move on to greater challenges, White tempers the excitement with a quick dose of reality.

“It’s one thing to win the title. But you gotta defend it a few times.”

(Source: MMA Fighting)

In the aftermath of UFC 113, company president, Dana White, had some choice words for welterweight, Josh Koscheck. While White held up his end of the bargain by granting the American Kickboxing Academy fighter a coaching spot on the upcoming season of The Ultimate Fighter, he didn’t refrain from expressing his personal opinion to the media. In an article for Yahoo Sports, White was quoted as saying, “I’m no Josh Koscheck fan. Personally, I think he’s [expletive].”

Unapologetically arrogant, many MMA fans bristle whenever Koscheck takes the mic after a fight. Although the 32-year-old couldn’t care less about public opinion, the criticism from White in particular, seemed unwarranted to the number one welterweight contender.

“Dana White doesn’t like me, apparently. That’s what he says. I’m not a team player. I don’t understand how he can say that. To go on record and say that, I think that’s a bunch of (expletive). I’m the type of fighter that steps up and fights anybody, anytime, anyplace. I’ve taken short-notice fights for him. I always do whatever I’m asked. I’m going to prove I’m a team player by winning the show and the welterweight title.”

Koscheck’s attitude, in part, is a strategic attempt to self promote whenever possible. Whether fans love him or hate him, they are at least talking about him. For Koscheck, he’d rather be despised than forgotten. Even if fans are tuning in just to watch him get knocked out, they are still contributing to his paycheck.

“I always use this analogy because I respect Dennis Rodman and what he did. He was one of the best rebounders in the NBA, but he didn’t really get noticed until he started acting like a crazy man. At the end of the day, I’ve got to do things for myself and my business to make money so I don’t have to work. It’s not like we’re getting paid $50 million or $60 million a fight like (Floyd) Mayweather.”

(Source: Las Vegas Review Journal)

Former UFC middleweight, Lee “Lighting” Murray has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for his role in the 2006 Securitas depot robbery, which currently ranks as the largest heist in England’s history. Along with several partners, Murray walked away from the scheme with over 53 million pounds. As police arrested the team one-by-one, Murray fled to Morocco where he holds duel citizenship. Unfortunately for “Lighting,” Moroccan law enforcement quickly detained him.

For the next four years, the United Kingdom fought to extradite Murray back to his home country, but bureaucratic red tape prevented it. In 2007, while in a Moroccan prison, Murray was caught trying to saw through his cell bars in an ill advised escape attempt. During his initial imprisonment, Murray was infamous for having the proper connections to obtain a laptop with an internet connection and designer clothes while he waited out his sentence.

After being briefly released in 2009, Murray was re-arrested at the request of British authorities. He now must serve a 10 year stretch in Morocco for his crimes.

A talented middleweight, Murray made his debut with the UFC back in 2004, defeating Jorge Rivera via armbar triangle. It would be his only fight with the organization as Visa issues kept “Lighting” out of the Octagon. Known to hardcore MMA fans for years, Murray allegedly knocked out Tito Ortiz during a street fight in 2002.

At 32-years-old, it’s crazy to think that Murray could have still been fighting in the UFC today had he not ventured into such unscrupulous behavior. With MMA gaining a larger presence in the U.K., it’s not difficult to imagine that Murray would have been a breakout star. Instead, he’ll spend the next 10 years contemplating his life, and most likely, his next adventure.

There are rumors that a screenplay based on Murray’s story is making the rounds in Hollywood.

(Source: MMA Weekly)

In stark contrast to the media barrage centered on UFC 114 last Saturday, the upcoming main event featuring former champions, Chuck “the Iceman” Liddell and Rich “Ace” Franklin has gone virtually unnoticed. If one were to rely solely upon the mainstream press for their MMA news, fans would probably be surprised to find that UFC 115, from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, is less than two weeks away.

Nevertheless, the fight plays an important role in both men’s futures. Liddell wants to erase the memory of his four losses in five contests while Franklin aims to establish himself as a contender in the light heavyweight division.

While “Ace” has always entered the Octagon in great physical shape, “the Iceman,” on the other hand, has received his share of criticism for his slight pot belly and penchant for partying. Looking at the picture above, it’s safe to say that Liddell is taking this fight seriously. Hopefully, his game plan will look as refreshed as his body does.

UFC 115 will air live via pay-per view at 10pm EST. SPIKE TV will broadcast select undercard fights prior to the start of the event.

(Source: Twitter)