Urijah Faber using Brian Bowles as a stepping stone to get back to Dominick Cruz

For Urijah Faber, all roads lead to completing a trilogy of fights with UFC bantamweight champ Dominick Cruz.

Faber and Cruz have split their previous two meetings, with “The Dominator” claiming a decision victory earlier this year in the main event of UFC 132 in July.

Before “The California Kid” can set his sights on Cruz, however, he needs to take care of Brian Bowles this Saturday night at UFC 139 in San Jose, California. Faber-Bowles is slated for the pay-per-view main card, which features a main event pitting Dan Henderson against Mauricio “Shogun” Rua.

“I think it’s pretty high up there,” said Faber, in a recent interview with the UFC’s website on the topic of facing Cruz. “He has the belt and that’s what I want, that’s the pinnacle of this sport, to be UFC champ, and that’s where I want to be.”

Don’t mistake Faber as someone who is overlooking Bowles, a former WEC champion like himself, as he says, “I know he’s got a strong skill set. He’s a dangerous guy because he goes for broke, which are the kind of fighters I like. He’s got a heavy overhand right, solid standup all around, and a lot of good chokes. He’s pretty good at everything, but I think I’m going to have an edge in every area.”

For Faber, it is all about securing that gold belt around his waist, and he knows a win over Bowles will put him right back in line to face Cruz again.

“Getting that UFC title is a big goal on my list, and it’s what I’m shooting for, what I’m working for,” Faber said.

PHOTO CREDIT – UFC

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MMATraining Take: Some have been critical of the chances that Cruz is receiving in terms of title shots, but I feel like he is the most deserving former member of the WEC. Cruz was the poster boy for the promotion and made it what it became. If he takes out Bowles, a former champ, he deserves another shot at Cruz.