“Aldo didn’t want it, Diaz was in a dispute,” UFC Hall of Famer details ALMOST fighting Conor McGregor back in 2016

It's UFC tradition to schedule a fight between rival coaches in a TUF season. Urijah Faber explains the reasons for scrapping his clash against Conor McGregor.

“Aldo didn’t want it, Diaz was in a dispute,” UFC Hall of Famer details ALMOST fighting Conor McGregor back in 2016

UFC Hall of Famer reveals almost fighting Conor McGregor (via Imago)

Everybody who coaches against each other in The Ultimate Fighter TV Series ends up fighting once the season airs. Demetrious Johnson alluded to as much in his YouTube podcast. Then why did former UFC star Urijah Faber not hash it out with Conor McGregor? The UFC Hall of Famer pitches in his side of the story to Johnson.

Despite being in a similar bind, McGregor faces TUF: Season 31 rival coach Michael Chandler soon. After a year’s delay, the duo meet at UFC 303’s five-round welterweight headliner. Following through with the trend, flyweight champion Alexa Grasso and challenger Valentina Shevchenko are set to have their trilogy fight once TUF: Season 32 airs. Urijah Faber remains the weird case that skipped a beat; he explains to Demetrious Johnson why.

They needed somebody who could hang with Conor in banter and clout at the time...There was a moment, where he and I were bantering back and forth, like we were both trying...But Dana said, ‘It’s not gonna happen.' It was never put on the table except for when the Diaz fight happened...Aldo didn't want it, Diaz was in a dispute...Basically, I was like a last resort and Dana was gonna let me fight Conor...Didn't happen because Conor wanted to fight Nate...
Urijah Faber via Demetrious Johnson’s MIGHTY Podcast (@Mighty15x)
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With Jose Aldo pulling out of UFC 189 with a rib injury, the TUF: Season 22 coaching adversary became a logical choice. However, the ‘Team Alpha Male’ head product revealed that top brass wanted him only for on-air “banters” with Conor McGregor. McGregor would later opt to unify his strap with Jose Aldo’s as the undisputed 145-pound crop at UFC 194.

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‘The California Kid’ theorizes with him having the most submissions at the time, the top brass treaded “gingerly around it.” McGregor was perhaps up for it, but the UFC preferred other matchups more. With McGregor later opting for Nate Diaz at UFC 196, the authorities said no to such a fight. Despite their UFC 189 backstage clash, he says they later also developed quite a rapport.

Urijah Faber is planning a huge MMA project, giving future kids better pathways as prospects

UFC alum and Hall of Famer Urijah Faber recently defeated submission wrestler Jeff Glover at Faber’s A1 Combat 21. Despite four failed title attempts, Faber remains a legend in the sport; his sheer athleticism at 45 is proof enough. His illustrious run has inspired him to pave the way for future generations.

Urijah Faber planning a game-changer city center for MMA Drafts
Urijah Faber planning a game-changer city center for MMA Drafts (Source: Instagram/the-sun.com)

Before the frame of his fight, he recently appeared on Demetrious Johnson’s MIGHTY Podcast. He touched upon his failed bid to fight Conor McGregor. Moreover, the Hall of Famer also spoke at length about how he wishes to change the landscape of MMA forever in the US. 

The next phase of sh*t that I’m working on, is going to be next level... I want a combat-themed city center and I’m working on that...I want a place to get the sport where it needs to go like Football, Baseball, Basketball, Soccer, you know how to get [to the top]...You go to the little league then you go to the Junior High, then you go to High School...then College, then you go to the draft...there’s a real pathway. I want to help create that [for MMA].
Urijah Faber via Demetrious Johnson’s MIGHTY Podcast (@Mighty15x)

Faber has a vision to provide children with a better path to pursue MMA. As such, the child combatants will go through an Academy set up and compete throughout their schooling days to College. The combatants get their necessary experience through this, and it will aim to produce more high-quality fighters in the US.

It’s often seen that a pro-grappler tries a feeble connection with range attacks. Or a striker tries an explosive clinch or hold and fails miserably. After all, not everyone turns out a Jon Jones or Charles Oliveira with an all-around game. Ahead of his new venture, though, the 45-year-old is now looking to fellow MMA pros to help out. Daniel Cormier. Tim Kennedy, Holly Holm, Jones, and Anthony Pettis remain on top of Faber’s list.

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