Grown men gushed with compliments, teenage girls screamed like they were next to a rock star and young boys were nervously speechless when it came to meeting Urijah Faber.

The mixed martial arts standout made an appearance on Friday at the Yuba-Sutter Gold Sox game. And Mid-Valley MMA fans turned out in droves to greet the "California Kid," who despite having a black cast covering his right hand, scribbled his signature on cards, cell phones and even children's heads over a period of hours that saw hundreds gravitate toward his booth.

Faber has always been popular. But the local outpouring of affection toward the affable 145-pounder serves as proof of what has happened since he last stepped into the cage on June 7 — he lost. And he is now more likable than ever.

In a match to reclaim his World Extreme Cagefighting featherweight title, Faber broke his right hand in the first round against Mike Brown. Though in pain and physically impaired, Faber lasted through all five of the 5-minute rounds before losing a unanimous decision in front of a nationally televised audience and 13,027 hometown fans at Arco Arena.

Faber didn't get back his belt. But what he gained was an even greater following of supporters who applaud his grit, tenacity and heart that he exemplified by fighting even while feeling "bone rub on bone."

"A lot of people were inspired by that fight," he said. "I've gotten letters from all over telling me how motivating it was and sharing stories of adversity and pushing through.

"I like to inspire and entertain. I gained some fans out of it."

Need proof? Right before his rematch with Brown, Faber started his Twitter page. It now has more followers than the population of Marysville. As of last weekend, there were still more than 100 unread text messages on his iPhone from people voicing their support.

The deluge of adulation is not a coincidence. It comes as a result of hard work, staying healthy and being someone who can relate to the common fan, despite the fact he could knock out 99.99 percent of them.

"I think it was the way I was raised," said Faber, who was born outside Santa Barbara but went to high school 30 minutes down the road in Lincoln. "I stay true to myself and I'm a friendly person. Just because I fight for a living doesn't mean I am a wild man. I'm a pretty grounded guy."

And he showed his personality the instant he walked into All Season's RV Stadium. Seemingly as soon as he passed though the "players and staff only entrance," Faber was met by a group of wide-eyed teenagers. He took time to shake each of their hands, get their names and start up a conversation before being whisked off to take care of the myriad duties he would have to fulfill as part of the Gold Sox's MMA night.

Those tasks included plenty more hand-shaking, and a whole lot of wielding a Sharpie with his right hand — an impressive feat in itself considering nearly a month ago he went under the knife as a result of breaking his fifth metacarpal on the side of Brown's head.

"What's going on is that it's a pretty serious injury because I kept fighting with (my hand broken) ... It really shattered some of the bone because I kept hitting for 21 minutes," Faber said. "They had to put steel plates on the fifth metacarpal — it's going to be a while

before I clobber someone with this hand."

If Faber threw in the towel after suffering the injury, it would have taken two months off his recovery time. Instead, he is still in his cast, away from heavy bags and sparring drills, attending physical therapy and spending his time in oxygen chambers.

He would have it no other way. The first time Faber fought Brown, the fight was stopped at 2:23 of the first round — the result of Faber making an unorthodox spinning elbow that left his face unprotected.

The second time around, a month ago today at WEC 41, Faber was satisfied with his performance and is not lamenting on what could have been.

"I enjoy watching (my fights) when I believe I put out my full effort," said Faber, who is 22-3. "I don't dwell on them, I watched (the second Brown fight) a handful of times.

"For me, fighting is what I do, but I have so much more going on in my life from family to friends to business ventures — I don't dwell to much on the past."

His friend and teammate Walter Patterson agrees.

"He's always positive," the Marysville-based fighter said. "The guy lost his fight and he's in the club the same night with a broken hand and a smile."

Faber is working on moving forward, mangled hand or not. He has been back in his gym for weeks working on "footwork and speed and agility" and is spending time on other ventures, such as the "Battle at the Ballpark" MMA event he is hosting at the local yard on Aug. 22.

As for his return and who he will fight next, it's still all up in the air.

"Of course I'd like to fight Mike Brown (again)," Faber said, but there are other things he wants to accomplish in the cage.

"I'd like to fight all the top guys, I've got some big fights left in my career," Faber said. "Whether I go up to (155 pounds) down to (135 pounds) or stay at (145 pounds) I have a long career left."