UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz remains on the mind of Urijah Faber, who was unable to secure the interim UFC bantamweight title in a recent bout with Renan Barao.

While Cruz-Barao is likely to be the next fight for both men, “The California Kid” hopes that he is able to work his way back to a third meeting with Cruz.

“They’re a ways away from putting that fight together, but Urijah’s going to do his best to get right back to the top,” said Mike Roberts, manager for Faber, during a recent interview with MMA Weekly Radio.

Faber was handed a decision loss to Barao in Canada, denying him his first UFC title. He is a former WEC champion and owns a 1-1 record vs. Cruz all-time, with “The Dominator” earning a win in the UFC before the two coached on The Ultimate Fighter.

As for his more immediate future, Roberts said his fighter would like to return this year and “earn his way back to the top.”

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