California King!
WEC Featherweight Champion “California Kid” Urijah Faber (21-1) fended off a game, but outclassed “Li’l Evil” Jens Pulver (22-9-1) in a five-round unanimous decision in Sacramento Sunday night.
The “California Kid” packed a big right hook counter to Pulver’s southpaw boxing in the first session. Faber landed the punch just enough to make Pulver think twice.
The fight only went to the mat once in round one, when Faber fell mid-kick and Pulver pounced; but, Faber locked up Pulver and stood out of “Li’l Evil’s” mount.
In round two, Faber felt Pulver respected his stand-up enough to shoot to the mat with single-leg takedowns. Faber scored most attempts; but, Pulver’s guard smothered Faber’s offense.
Faber decided to throw with the noted striker, Pulver, in round three and beat “Li’l Evil” by popping in and out with jolting shots and mixing in a high kick to keep Pulver guessing.
In the fourth, Faber took Pulver back to the mat and hammered elbows into his skull until the bell.
By the final round, Pulver was gassed and Faber closed the UD with jabs and right hooks to Pulver’s head.
