Smile for the camera phone. Sign an autograph. Listen to how great you are. Imagine that scenario repeating about a dozen times over and you will get a feel for what Urijah Faber experiences whenever he returns to UC Davis to watch Aggie wrestlers compete.

Since graduating in 2003 with a bachelor’s degree in human development, the former Aggie wrestling standout has become a star in the fast-growing sport of mixed martial arts — the “California Kid,” long-time featherweight champion and the top draw of the World Extreme Cagefighting organization.

His success and the rise of mixed martial arts, or MMA, have given collegiate wrestlers a new option to continue competing at a professional level while giving Aggie fans a hero to cheer on.

‘California Kid’

“I always envisioned myself going to the top of the sport,” said Faber. “I just had no idea what that would entail. I dreamed about being where I am right now.”

Faber launched his professional career soon after graduating from UC Davis, where he holds the record for all-time wins (92) and dual wins (42), twice qualified for the NCAA Division I Championships and placed at the Pacific-10 Conference Championships.

Since his 2003 pro debut, Faber has risen to the top with a 22-2 record and has become the face of the WEC. The “California Kid” defended his featherweight title over a two-year span before his loss to Mike Brown in late 2008. Following a victory over former champion Jens Pulver in January, Faber says he is guaranteed a shot at regaining his title in a rematch with Brown.

MMA is a full-contact sport that allows a variety of grappling and striking techniques. Most fights are taken to the ground, which favors wrestlers. The sport has quickly become one of the most popular in America, pushing boxing against the ropes. Pay-per-view fights including the big names of MMA have pushed more than 1 million buys, nearing the draws boxing experienced in the mid and late-1990’s.

In recent years, other collegiate wrestlers have taken to the sport and won championships. Former NCAA champion Brock Lesnar recently claimed the heavyweight title in the UFC, which is the biggest organization in the sport and is run by the same company that owns Faber’s WEC. Other fighters also have college wrestling backgrounds.

One of those past NCAA champions is former Aggie assistant coach Mark Munoz, who left his UC Davis position last spring to pursue a professional MMA career. Munoz is currently 5-0 with his debut fight in the UFC coming up. He competes in the light heavyweight division (186–205 pounds), which is arguably the toughest weight division in the sport with former title-holders and big-ticket draws.

“I’m happy that guys like Urijah and Mark are out there making money and using their wrestling skills,” said UC Davis head wrestling coach Lennie Zalesky. “The sport has become safer over the years and I love watching it.”

The sport has taken steps to distance itself from its no-holds-barred image. As new fighting techniques emerged, many rules were added to keep the fighters safe and get the sport sanctioned. A referee is in place to stop the fight when somebody is knocked dizzy or when blood nears the eye. And, the option for an opponent to tap out (surrender) is considered honorable.

Faber predicted that as the sport continues to grow in popularity, more collegiate wrestlers will follow his path.

“It’s exciting for the wrestlers because they never really had this option (of professional status) before.”

Wes Collins, an assistant for athletics media relations, wrote this article for UC Davis Magazine’s spring 2009 issue.