Sacramento State launching program with UFC Hall of Famer to become 'farm' for combat sport athletes

(FOX40.COM) — A first-of-its-kind program is coming to Sacramento State, and it comes with the help of a sports legend, according to university president Dr. Luke Wood.

On Thursday, Wood said that Sacramento State is partnering with UFC Hall of Famer Urijah Faber to create a unique developmental program for combat sport athletes. The program aims to create a “collegiate pathway” into professional combat sports for athletes that would like to go to school while also focusing on their athletic careers.
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The program will be called “Combat U,” or the Combat Sports and Martial Arts University, according to ESPN.

Some of the martial arts that will be featured within the program are boxing, wrestling, muay thai, and jiu-jitsu.

“If anyone’s seen my social media, they know I like to box,” said Sacramento State president Dr. Luke Wood. He went on to explain how the partnership with Faber came to fruition.

“It all started with one of our students…she had messaged me saying she was coming to Sacramento State and competes in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.” Wood said that the student relayed to him that she was transferring to Sacramento State specifically to go to school while also training at Faber’s gym, which is close to the university’s campus.

That conversation led to Thursday’s announcement, which took place on the Sacramento State campus with Faber and other combat sport coaches in attendance.

“I wrestled at UC Davis and that was a huge part of my career journey.” Faber said at Thursday’s press conference. “This is an awesome development for the sport,” he added.

The program is expected to start in the fall semester of 2024. Faber will serve as the executive coach.