A former Bellator lightweight opened up about training under UFC legend Urijah Faber at Team Alpha Male. He praised Faber’s work ethic and leadership, describing how he continues to inspire fighters after his retirement.
Chris Gonzalez transitioned from Greco-Roman wrestling and has worked with trained with Faber since joining his Sacramento-based gym. Team Alpha Male (TAM) is respected in the sport and has produced world-class fighters including T.J. Dillashaw and Cody Garbrandt.
During a recent appearance on The Game Plan, Gonzalez shared how Faber’s example influences the atmosphere at TAM. He said the UFC Hall of Famer still shows up regularly, consistently training hard, and setting the tone for everybody.
“It’s kind of like a top-down effect,” Gonzalez said. “The boss kind of sets the tone. Urijah’s the general, so he’s running the show. He’s in there every day.”
Faber isn’t just present—he participates. Gonzalez explained how Faber remains involved in training sessions, offering advice and leading by example.
“[Faber’s] either in there and training with you, helping you fine tune what you have to do, he’s getting his own work in, he’s running practices,” Gonzalez said. “He could always step on the mat and go an hour-and-half and be just fine.”
Gonzalez praised Faber as a great role model both inside and outside the cage:
“I just kind of look at my day and try to fill my day just as much as he does, just kind of follow his lead.”
Urijah Faber’s pupil Chris Gonzalez Set for MMA Return
After a two-year hiatu, Gonzalez will step back into the cage. The former Bellator lightweight will face Jacob Rosales at LFA 213. The bout marks his return since losing to Tim Wilde at Bellator 296.
Gonzalez, 33, admitted that he expected to return sooner. He said multiple fights fell through over the past two years.
“I’ve actually had quite a few fights offered to me over the last two years,” Gonzalez told The Game Plan. “I thought I would have fought quite a few times since my last one, two-years-ago in Paris,”
One booking even reached fight week, but Gonzalez’s opponent received a short-notice opportunity with the UFC, which he couldn’t decline:
“I actually had one fight that made it all the way to fight week and then, unfortunately the UFC signed him on short-notice as a replacement fight.”
Urijah Faber Nearly Returned for GFL’s Launch
Faber was set to return to the cage for GFL and had a date and opponent confirmed. The upstart promotion hosted a virtual draft that included many former UFC champions and legends.
The team-based format would see fighters compete and secure points for their respective teams. There were events and fights announced, but financial troubles halted them before their official launch.
Faber was set to face Renan Barao in a trilogy fight at GFL’s inaugural event, which was scheduled for May 24. The matchup would have given Faber a chance to avenge two previous losses from their UFC bantamweight title fights.
The card also included other notable bouts including Anthony Pettis vs. Benson Henderson, and Holly Holm vs. Julia Budd.
Team LA’s Urijah Faber takes on Team São Paulo’s Renan Barao in an epic Bantamweight trilogy!
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Ex-Bellator Lightweight Praises UFC Legend Urijah Faber’s Leadership at TAM