MMA Knockout

MMA News: UFC Hall of Famer to Rematch Former Opponent in Main Event Bout

A rematch more than 16 years in the making will feature as the main event of A1 Combat 21 in Visalia, CA. 

Fernando Quiles Jr.

Dec 2, 2023; Austin, Texas, USA; The octagon is ready for UFC Fight Night at Moody Center. Mandatory
Dec 2, 2023; Austin, Texas, USA; The octagon is ready for UFC Fight Night at Moody Center. Mandatory / Dustin Safranek-USA TODAY Sports

A rematch more than 16 years in the making will feature as the main event of A1 Combat 21 in Visalia, CA. 

A1 Combat has established itself as one of California’s top regional MMA promotions after being started by UFC Hall of Famer Urijah Faber in 2022, and last month the promotion announced “The California Kid” would return to headline a card on May 25. 

No further details or opponent were included in the original announcement, but now it’s been revealed that Faber will take on his former opponent Jeff Curran in a combat jiu-jitsu match.

UFC 301: STEVE ERCEG REACTS TO TITLE SHOT, NAMES POTENTIAL FIGHTS AFTER PANTOJA

Curran suffered a submission loss to Faber in a featherweight title bout at WEC 31, and “The Big Frog” later went on to fight for Bellator and the UFC before he closed out his MMA career in 2016. 

The news that Faber is returning for a combat jiu-jitsu match rather than an MMA fight will be welcome news to some fans after his previous comeback attempt ended with a knockout-loss to Petr Yan, and the presence of the UFC Hall of Famer should make A1 Combat 21 one of the biggest shows the promotion has put on thus far. 

Fellow UFC and WEC veteran Chan Sung Jung also unveiled plans for his own MMA promotion shortly after the news broke that Faber would headline an event for A1 Combat, and Zombie Fight Night recently announced its first event will take place on June 29. 

“The Korean Zombie” has already indicated that his chin isn’t able to hold up during MMA fights any more, but perhaps Faber’s combat jiu-jitsu bout for his own promotion might give Jung some ideas about returning to competition himself.

Stick with MMA Knockout for more daily coverage of the UFC, MMA, WWE, and AEW.

Follow MMA Knockout on Twitter and Facebook.

Published
Fernando Quiles Jr.

FERNANDO QUILES JR.

Fernando has over a decade of combat sports news writing experience. He currently covers MMA, boxing, and pro wrestling. Fernando joined MMA Knockout as the Lead Writer/Editor when it was founded in 2023.