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Faber claims he'll walk through Cruz in title rematch

Urijah Faber was kept at range in his last bout with Dominick Cruz © Getty Images

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Urijah Faber has promised Dominick Cruz he will "walk right through his punches" when the pair clash once again for Cruz's UFC bantamweight title.

Faber booked his title shot with an outstanding display against Brian Bowles at UFC 139, earning Submission of the Night honours for a second-round guillotine.

Perhaps more impressive was the sight of Faber picking apart Bowles on his feet, flooring him with faked lunging uppercut, before pouring on the pressure with a nasty elbow. The entire onslaught by Faber easily represented his best performance in the UFC to date.

Against Cruz, Faber is currently 1-1, losing the most recent via a decision. When the pair meet next year, the California Kid insists he will not be kept at range this time - warning the champion he will be much more aggressive in the rematch.

"He's not dangerous," Faber told Inside MMA. "He's a world champion and there's a reason why he's there. He has my respect, but he doesn't have my respect when it comes to punching power or danger.

"I'll walk right through his punches and march forward. It's just gonna be tracking him down and scoring more points on the way to finishing him."

Faber gave credit for the uppercut he landed on Bowles to TJ Dillashaw, a TUF 14 contestant who will fight in the Finale in December. However, the true credit, Faber admits, needs to go to Master Tong.

"I've got to say, my instructor, Master Tong, he's been a guy that's one of the top boxing coaches in the world. He's been with me for almost three and a half to four years. I've really started to see the pay-outs from working with him.

"I've had a lot of great fights. I've been knocking guys down the last four fights. I've either knocked them down or shook 'em, at least and wobbled 'em. You're gonna see my best knockouts coming in the near future."

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