The California Kid is set to call time on an incredible mixed martial arts career after his next UFC fight on December 17th.
The decision to make his 44th professional fight his last was revealed on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani on Monday evening, as Faber, currently on vacation, was discussing his upcoming fight in his home town of Sacramento, California.
Londoner Brad Pickett will be his opponent in what promises to be a magnificent encounter on a very interesting fight card that also includes Sage Northcutt vs Mickey Gall, and Paige Van Zant vs Michelle Waterson.
Speaking to Helwani, Urijah Faber explained that it simply felt like the right time to go out fighting in front of his home town fans.
It's gonna be a really cool event. I've been kinda waiting for this and this is actually going to be my last fight.
It just feels right to do it in Sac, in this new arena, and it just feels like the right time and the right place. I've been waiting for this new arena to be built, and I was waiting for that Dominick Cruz opportunity and I feel like, ya'know, this is going to be an epic event and I can't wait to do it in front of the people I love.
Helwani then paused and asked Faber to confirm what it seemed that he was saying, that Brad Pickett on December 17th was going to be his retirement fight, and Faber confirmed it there and then.
I think so man. It just feels like the right time, I've been super blessed with this career, I'm very thankful for the help that I have right now and the success that I've had.
I'm excited and I'm pretty proud of being able to give back to the next generation of guys, from creating contenders and champions, and being a leader to that team, and it just like now's the time to have a homecoming and an adios at the same time.
The news came as a surprise, as while it is understandable given his age and the number of fights under his belt, there was no indication that the return to Sacramento would be his final UFC bout.
Thank you, @urijahfaber, for announcing your retirement on #themmahour earlier today. Had no idea. What an honor and privilege that was.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) October 24, 2016
MMA will be losing one of it's most recognisable fighters and best servants over the past decade, but it sounds very much like he will continue his work with Team Alpha Male so we can expect to see him cage-side at UFC events for many years to come.
He will also surely be snapped up as an analyst for some sports network in the States, so while we have to say goodbye to Faber the fighter on December 17th, he'll still be in the news we're sure.
You can watch The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani in full below, Faber appears at around the 1:28:00 mark.
