Eastside MMA in Redmond, Washington was the place to be Saturday, March 14th as two WEC superstars, Urijah Faber and Jamie Varner, were on hand giving an all day seminar to the lucky 20 or so participants who were present.

Former WEC Featherweight Champion Urijah Faber was rated number one in the world at 145 pounds until being dethroned as Champ back in November by Mike Brown. Since that time, Faber has had one fight, a quick Submission victory over Jens Pulver in late January. Now, Faber is reportedly getting a shot to get his belt back from current WEC Featherweight Champion Mike Brown at a rematch to take place in Sacramento, June 7th. NW Fightscene was able to sit down with Urijah at a break in the seminar at Eastside MMA to speak with him about his rematch with Brown plus a whole lot more...

NWFS: What would it mean to you to be fighting Mike Brown back in Sacramento?
UF: That'd be great. You know, last time was awesome. [Faber vs Pulver 1 - 6/1/08]

It was such a cool atmosphere you know, people were going nuts. It was right in my hometown so basically I'd be stoked to get it there again, especially for the title. It'll be in the springtime, which I love the springtime in California so this'd be awesome.

NWFS: And do you want to fight Mike again?
UF: Yeah, that's the goal. That'd be the best fight for me. Its someone I want to fight. He's got the belt and I'm trying to be on top of the world, so lets do it.

NWFS: In your last fight with Mike Brown, you came with a flying elbow and you got caught...That unpredictability and fearlessness is one of your hallmarks as a fighter. However, after getting caught by Brown like that, is that something you're going to thinking about the next you go out with him, or with any opponent really?
UF: No. I fight pretty instinctual so it wasn't like a planned out thing that I had done. So I'm not going to all of a sudden start being cautious. I mean I feel comfortable anywhere, so barring something like that flying elbow to a right hook or right cross, I think I feel pretty comfortable... So I'll keep on letting it all hang out and keep trying to be exciting. I fight for my fans and I fight for my family and I love to do it, so its great. 

NWFS: You've become the face of the WEC. Your big sponsor No Fear Energy Drink is reported to be doing a big promotional campaign with life-sized cutouts of you to be in stores. ...and I'm sure you're being recognized in the streets all the time.

How are you learning to deal with this fame you're receiving?
UF: Yeah, you know, for me I've kind of been at a smaller level of being in the limelight since I can remember. I used to do acting when I was a little kid. I used to do commercials and plays and stuff, so its not like I'm not used to this type of thing. In college [wrestling], I was on all the posters and stuff. But it is definitely a whole different level [now], so the biggest thing for me is staying grounded. I've got all the same friends. I got the same regimen as far as training. Of course I travel a little bit more. I'm close to my family and stuff so its easy to stay grounded and not get too distracted. But it has been a little bit different with people looking for my time and people trying to get my attention more and stuff like that. So its a conscious thing, I need to stay focused and do my thing.

NWFS: Your gym, Ultimate Fitness... do you own the gym outright yourself, or do you have a partner or partners?
UF: I have two gyms and I have one partner in both of them, and he's an active partner so he helps me run the things. I really need that right now because I'm so busy. But yeah, my gyms are doing great. UltimateFitness.Pro is the website. My teammates train there, and they teach classes there, and its a really good atmosphere. I feel really lucky to have a successful business, especially with the economy like it is... I think in hard times that people like to do things that make them feel good and our gym provides that, something that's healthy for people and its a good spot man, its sweet.

NWFS: Lets talk about your teammates. You have Joseph Benevidez, who is fighting on the next WEC against Jeff Curran. And Danny Castillo who is also fighting for the WEC. Tell us about some of the other guys we should be looking for...
UF: I've got Justin Buchholz, he's fighting for the UFC and he's fighting Terry Etim from England in the next UFC. I've got Scott McAfee whose had one fight in the WEC and I think is like 6-1 now. I've got Tito Jones from Pensacola, Florida who's been fighting in the PFC and is looking to possibly go to Japan or go to Strikeforce. I've got Chad Mendes who is Division One National Finalist and just went straight into training after his college career. He's one of my up and coming guys who is going to be very, very tough. Dustin Akbari, he's my longest training partner and he's only 21 now but he's been training with me since he was 16. And he's really coming of age now. He just suffered his first loss but he's one of the top guys in the world technically, I think. So he's going to be one guy really to watch. And I've got a ton of guys who are working their way up that ladder. Matt Sanchez, he's a two time Division One All-American and couple time world champion for Brazilian Jiu-jitsu and submission grappling. Ian Murphy, he just fought yesterday, he's a Division One wrestler and he won university nationals for wrestling also. Really tough guy.

Ian Murphy def Chris Velasquez (Carnage at the Creek 5 - 3/12/09)

And I've got some real veterans in our gym that have been around and really have put in their time, like Kyacey Uscola and Jeremy Freitag. Our team is really deep as far as talent goes, different levels of guys. Guys who are going to be future champions, guys that are making their way through a career now and are coming to crossroads and stuff, so its interesting for us. We got a lot of knowledge, but [also] a lot of guys that are hungry so its good in the room.

NWFS: Team Alpha Male. Who came up with the name? 
UF: I did that actually in 2003 when I first started fighting. It was just I always liked the name Alpha Male. It represents being on top and that's what we're trying to do. Team Alpha Male. I like the meaning of it. We have smart guys who are marketable and train hard and live a good life, so its cool.

NWFS: And your amateurs. You just had a fight event at your gym a couple of weeks ago. How is the California amateur scene developing? I know that the California Athletic Commission still is trying to figure out how to deal with the amateurs...
UF: Right now you have to really get around it. You can't have an actual amateur event as of right now, but they are trying to change that. There is stuff that you can do, you know smoker events. You don't declare winners and stuff like that. There are ways to get guys competition, straight jiu-jitsu tournaments and stuff so that's what I'm having to do with a lot of my guys. Ship them out of state. But hopefully the amateur scene will pick up and things will start looking good.

[Ed Note: Read NW Fightscene's NoCal Correspondent Steve "Spaniard" Valentine's

review of the fight event at Faber's gym HERE]

NWFS: Sponsors?
UF: No Fear Energy and then I'm actually about to start Alpha Male clothing. I just got that name back. I started that in 2004 and then I had some problems with the trademark, but just recently I got the trademark back under control so I'm going to start doing that. I'm looking to team up with somebody who has their hand in the clothing business. I'm not trying to do it myself. 

NWFS: Anyone to thank?
UF: I'd just like to thank my managers, MMA Incorporated, and my teammates and everyone. I appreciate the fans. 

NW Fightscene would like to thank Urijah for his time in giving us this interview. Visit his website, UrijahFaber.com for all the latest news on his career and to check out his pictures, videos, or to join in the conversation with other fans on the very active forum on the site. Ultimate Fitness is the name of Urijah's two world class gyms, with one located in downtown Sacramento and the other 15 miles East in Rancho Cordova. More information is available at the gyms website: UltimateFitness.pro