Cruz (left) and Faber (right) (photo via UFC)

By Kelsey Mowatt

Urijah Faber is set to face Dominick Cruz at UFC 199, and according to one of the fighters who trained with him during TUF 22, we’re about to see the best version of “The California Kid” we’ve seen in some time.

Recently Billy Quarantillo appeared on Full Contact Fighter Radio to discuss his April 1st bout with Michael Quinones, which will headline Absolute Fighting Championships 25 in Coconut Creek. Since Quarantillo was part of Team Faber during TUF 22, the Gracie Tampa South fighter was asked for his take on Cruz – Faber III, which will go down on June 4th.

“Anything’s possible you know?” Quarantillo said. “I think he had two great performances against Dominick Cruz already. He obviously got that first submission, and then their second fight, wow, what a fight. It was back-and-forth and Urijah was catching him with right hands. It was a great fight.”

Faber submitted Cruz in their first, 2007 bout, but was decisioned in the 2011 rematch.

“They’ve got that real intense rivalry where Urijah told our team, even after all that stuff with Conor McGregor, he was like ‘no, Conor’s not that bad. We really don’t not like anyone in the sport.’ Then he paused for a second and said ‘oh, besides Dominick Cruz…” He really doesn’t like him and I’m sure Dominick Cruz doesn’t like him. It’s definitely an interesting match-up.”

Faber is coming off a decision win over Frankie Saenz in December. Cruz, meanwhile, reclaimed the 135 title in January, by earning a split decision win over Faber’s former teammate, TJ Diilashaw.

“I think Dominick’s definitely the favorite going into that fight, but anything can happen,” added Quarantillo. “It might be the motivation fight that he needs to get back into training full time and get ready for a fight, because I think there’s a couple of fights that haven’t really been interesting him as much. So, I think it’s going to be an interesting fight and I think you’re going to see the best Urijah Faber you’ve seen in a while.”

UFC 199 will be hosted by the Forum in Los Angeles, California.