Since losing out on his chance to claim the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) interim Bantamweight title at UFC 149, losing to Renan Barao via unanimous decision, Urijah Faber has been on a roll, winning four straight fights (three of which via submission).

And after "The California Kid's" latest victory over Michael McDonald at UFC on Fox 9 this past weekend (Dec. 14, 2013) in Sacramento, Calif., UFC President Dana White praised the 135-pound contender, comparing him to none other than Vitor Belfort, another aging veteran who has been red-hot inside the Octagon since losing his previous title fight against Jon Jones

White's words (via UFC on FOX post-fight conference):

"Faber is in this Vitor zone right now. The older he gets the better he gets. If you look at how good McDonald really is and people were so excited for this fight, he literally shut Michael down the entire fight and finished him. It was a great performance."

Indeed, much like Belfort, Faber has improved with time, proving that despite being up there in age -- as far as sports standards are concerned -- neither of them are ready to give up their place in the division to much younger stars.

For his part, Belfort has won three straight since losing to "Bones" in a Light Heavyweight title fight at UFC 152 last year, knocking out Michael Bisping, Luke Rockhold and Dan Henderson in devastating fashion to earn another shot at the Middleweight strap.

At age 34, Faber isn't putting his foot on the brakes, either. And you can bet he'd love nothing more than to get a crack at facing the winner of UFC 169's title fight between division champ Dominick Cruz and interim champion, the aforementioned Barao.

Something White wouldn't fully commit to giving Faber...yet.