The Sports Informant

By Patrick Ibarra
Editor

While there has been an uproarious outcry from supportive fans lashing into Sacramento Bee writer Victor Contreras for his comments about how Sacramento Mixed Martial Artist Urijah Faber should retire after his WEC 48 loss to Featherweight champion Jose Aldo on April 24, Faber himself hadn’t said a whole lot about the situation.

His laid back approach to the media has always been professional, and continued in an interview this week with UFC announcer and radio host Bruce Buffer on the Sherdog Radio Network.

Urijah Faber, right, lost a five-round fight with Jose Aldo, left, on April 24. (Photo courtesy Greg Ashman)

When the question about Contreras’ April 26 article in the Sacramento Bee arose, Faber took the high road again, at least at first.

“I usually try to ignore guys like that,” Faber said. “Ignorance is one thing… The guy, I think, is trying to get himself some publicity and some real pride.”

But fighters are taught to throw jabs, and after Contreras’ low blow to Faber, it was only natural that the hometown hero Faber eventually would strike back.

“A lot of times pride is a good thing, but in this guy’s case, his pride made him look like an idiot,” Faber continued.

While I usually advocate for professional athletes to stay professional, Faber’s opinion needed to be said, and not by the legion of fans attacking the comments section of Contreras’ article online. That just boosts the Bee’s readership. No, Contreras needed a smackdown from the man himself, and since the two aren’t likely to step into the cage against one another any time soon, a war of words will do.

It’s how politicians handle their opinions in the Capitol Building. Why not follow suit in the Capital City?

“What a moron,” Faber said, in reference to Contreras. “I was basically in the Super Bowl for my sport. We spent a lot of time getting to that point with the pay-per-view, and I’m fighting a guy who’s accomplished as much as Aldo, and what do you tell the team that lost the Super Bowl? ‘Alright guys, hang it up. Game’s over.’ It’s like, this guy’s just a moron. I can’t believe it.”

The issue arose after Faber’s loss to Aldo, who is currently dominating the 145-pound weight class in the World Extreme Cagefighting organization. The showdown last Saturday in Arco Arena in Sacramento was the organization’s first-ever pay-per-view event, and showcased two different title fights on the night. Aldo vs. Faber was the show’s name and main event, expected to be a barnburner of a fight.

Only it wasn’t. Aldo picked Faber apart with leg kicks and the injured hometown fighter never had a shot after the first round. Aldo cruised to an easy unanimous decision, and the local writer Contreras smelled blood after the fight like a hungry shark. His article, though unpopular with anyone who knows and likes Faber, has been discussed nationwide since.

Until the Sherdog interview, Contreras was winning the battle. His name, regardless of negative press, has grown exponentially since his article. Faber’s recent comments firing back hopefully brought him back down to earth.

Now maybe the rest of us can move on.