WEC Featherweight Champion, Urijah "The California Kid" Faber, was on hand at Xtreme Promotion's Carnage at the Creek 3 on August 22nd as the show's celebrity guest, and throughout the evening of 16 fights he tirelessly met fans, signed autographs, and stood for photos. At the end of the evening, he graciously met with us and spoke about his upcoming bout with Mike Brown as well as on other topics...

NWFS: What are your thoughts on your upcoming opponent, Mike Brown?
Urijah Faber: I think he's really tough. He's a bigger guy for the weight class, he's going to be really strong, and he's really well rounded. But I think I'm going to be a little bit better than him at everything. He's got strong jiu-jitsu, strong wrestling, good boxing, his wind is always there... but I'm going to better on the in-between stuff, the scrambling, and just the all around fight game, I think I'm a better fighter. 

NWFS: And your past fight with Jens Pulver? Its one for the ages I think and its really one that a lot of people saw and said Wow and just became huge fans just from seeing that fight. I haven't been in a stadium that was so loud. That was incredible! What are your thoughts now looking back on that fight?
UF: I think it was something that needed to happen in my career, just kind of bridge the gap between some of the more established guys and the newer guys. And Jens and I are only 3 years apart in age but he's done so much for the sport so even to fight someone that accomplished and that talented, and in front of my home crowd and to be victorious was awesome. 

[For more pics of this fight, go HERE!]

NWFS: When you go into a fight, the night before, the day before, the day of... what's your ritual or do you have a ritual that you go through?
UF: I don't really, you know. Like last time I just had a big barbecue. All my friends and family were there, I had like 50 people over at my house. And then stayed up until about three, ate something right before I went to bed because its hard for me to keep weight on. I have a fast metabolism. And then I try to sleep in as long as possible, I turn my phone off, hit the curtains, and then just get up and ready to rock. 

NWFS: Is this your first time up here to the Northwest.
UF: I've been up here a couple of times. I have some family up in Washington that I visited a long time ago. I think I may have come up for a wrestling tournament a long time ago.

NWFS : What are your thoughts on the area?
UF: I love it. Its got a lot of trees. Sacramento has a lot of trees but it's a little more of the water and trees [up here]. Its beautiful and I'm enjoying it.

NWFS: What'd you think of the fights tonight?
UF: They were great. I wish California would allow feeder shows like this. I feel like some of the amateur guys here are more accomplished than some of the guys turning pro because they have to in California. So I'd like to see more amateur shows popping up in different states. 

NWFS: And what would you say to an amateur who's just getting into the game? What's the secret to success if there is one?
UF: The secret to success is surround yourself with the right people, and be constantly learning. Its easy to have the mentality of wanting to fight but its hard to find the right tools to be the best. 

NFWS: Well cool. Thanks so much.
UF: Thank you. Nice to meet you.

Urijah Faber puts his WEC Featherweight belt on the line as he goes up against Mike Brown on Wednesday, September 10th at WEC: Faber vs Brown taking place in the Seminole Hard Rock Casino in Hollywood, Florida.

The event will be broadcast live on the VERSUS channel.

Visit Urijah Faber online at www.UrijahFaber.com