I've told the UFC brass I want big fights: fights that are going to put money in their pockets and money in my pockets and staple me as one of the best of all-time.
— Urijah Faber
One of the guys I've always said was one of my favorite fighters to watch was Sakuraba. He's always been really creative. He's got a great attitude, and I think he has the right approach of just going in there and letting it all hang out.
This is why people love to watch me, is because I fight. I'm here to fight. I'm not here trying to protect anything, not trying to protect a legacy or anything. I'm here to fight.
You get notoriety when you fight.
I've kind of lived the same lifestyle I've had since I was a little kid. Basically, working out and hanging out with my friends and competing. I feel like a really lucky guy. I haven't had to do anything I don't want to do in life, and that's not the case with everyone.
On occasion, it's rough for me to sleep because I have a lot of things on my mind, so I'll need to get a little more sleep sometimes. I'm up late because I've got a lot of energy and a lot of things on my mind all the time, and I'm up early 'cause I've got things to do, so that's the only thing. That's how I like it; I like to be busy.
The reason we get into the fight game is the same reason why we stay too long sometimes. It's because we enjoy it.
I do try to stay positive and maintain a positive environment for my team.
You look at teams in college, the MMA world, and beyond that allow bullying, where guys get jealous during training and stuff like that. You need to have a space where everyone feels like they have an equal opportunity - like they have support, people watching out for them.
Aside from being a fighter, I am a relaxed person. It is a lifestyle thing for me. I don't stress too much.
I know Barao is a tough, skilled competitor. So am I.
I'm a guy that follows my heart and my passion. I do what I love.
I looked up to action heroes such as Bruce Lee, Chuck Norris, and Jean-Claude van Damme because I liked the attitude and determination they portrayed.
For me, fitness is a lifetime commitment; I don't remember ever being out of shape.
I have always been a big fan of combat sports - ever since I can remember, it was something that appealed to me and something that I thought I would be good at.
Fighting Raphael Assunaco isn't that exciting to me. I have nothing against him; he's a good guy and a good fighter.
I need guys who are dangerous to go out and have my best performance.
I've fought the guys that didn't do anything for me, didn't move the needle a bit, people weren't excited for it, I was having trouble getting excited for it. I've fought those guys because that's what was given to me.
Training is a lifestyle for me, so I'm always in good shape.
I've had plenty of fights where the guy's virtually unknown and very tough. I mean a lot.
That's the biggest part of our sport, is self-confidence, and self-belief.
There's some weirdos out there, a few stalker fans out there, but nothing I can't handle. People are just going out of their way to hunt down information and get a hold of me. People call obsessively or things like that.
I'm not really good at worrying. I think I get that from my pops. He can be in some really dire straights and be a real optimist, so I don't sweat the petty stuff.
Everything in life that is good, I have.
Time is something you can't get back.
All the businesses that I've been a part of throughout my fighting career have come out of a need.
I think the California mentality is laid-back, and I definitely embody that.
I work my butt off and have a positive attitude.
Kid Yamamoto is a guy that has star power.
As a kid, I loved contact sports, especially American football and boxing.
I train in Muay Thai, kickboxing, traditional boxing, wrestling, jiujitsu, and a little bit of judo.
I didn't get into too many fights when I was younger. I think I got into, like, one fight when I was in high school, and that was because someone was being rude towards my mom, and that was it.
Our team is the best team in the world, and I'm going to maintain that, and I'm not going to let anybody break that up.
The Jens Pulver fight was one that was on a massive level: I was a world champion fighting a former world champion, and a guy that I looked up to. We had a great fight.
I love watching other guys fight.
This guy Jimmie Rivera, I like his attitude. I like what he represents. He's a hard-working guy, he's a respected guy, a respectful guy.
My first reaction to any fight opportunity is yes, just out of instincts. That's why I'm in this sport.
I'm kind of - I guess you could say - a momma's boy.
I feel really lucky about being able to live a life that revolves around my passion. People are really supportive, and I've got some great fans.
I'm not a party animal.
We all go through things in life. You try to stay positive, but you can't ignore bad things that happen. You just try to work through them.
Money shouldn't be the driver for where you spend your time.
As far as fighting, I just love to fight and enjoy my life more because of that. I think that it is pretty apparent to those who know me that I do this because of the love. I am not looking to get famous or acquire a bunch of cash. I am following my passion, and that's what is about for me.
I was raised in a bit of a hippie environment.
I've always wanted to be the best.
Mike Brown is a big guy; he's very durable. He's extremely strong and very well-rounded.
My parents named me after Uriah the Hittite, one of King David's mighty men in the Old Testament of the Bible, who was known for his fearlessness. I've thought about it, and there may be a connection between my name and my personality.
For sure, I'd fight B. J. Penn. He's one of my buddies, also, but I think we could fight each other.
I've never said no to any fight the UFC has asked of me.
This is why I go into this sport: to fight the best guy in the world.
