Cub Swanson: I’m Not A Big Fan Of WWE Trash Talking, I’m Doing It My Way
UFC featherweight contender Cub Swanson sits at a lofty number two in the stacked division, and his recent performances indicate that ‘Beautiful Destruction’ is ready for a title shot. Four finishes in his last six, including Dennis Siver, Ross Pearson and George Roop, really have separated the South Californian from the rest of the pack at 145 pounds.
As it stands though, Swanson has been linked to a title contender match with Frankie Edgar. The pushing back of Jose Aldo vs. Chad Mendes to UFC 179 has also had ramifications on Swanson’s hope for a title fight this year. Talking with MMAFighting.com today, Cub had the following to say:
“I earned the title shot a couple times now, but I’ve been the odd one out a few times. I waited out a year, and I’m getting older. I want to fight the big fights. As long as they get the fight with Edgar on a big card, then I’m in. It’s something I’ve been interested in for a while now. The problem is that I’m not guaranteed the title shot, what if Mendes beats Aldo? He’ll get the immediate title shot, or if Aldo wins he might get injured again. The best option is for me to fight again, the next best guy is Frankie Edgar.”
It’s refreshing to see that Swanson is happy to fight again, but I’d agree that he should be headlining against a big name, on a big card. Six straight wins in the deep water at featherweight is very impressive, but sitting out is a dangerous game. As Swanson continued, he explained the reason behind his current form:
“I got amazing coaches behind me, and there was no reason not to succeed. I feel matured, and I’m coming in to my own. Maybe I had a lack of confidence in my younger days, and took some bad advice. After the Lamas and the Roop fight, I had a lot of thinking time, and I re-evaluated my training and diets.”
Whatever Swanson is doing is definitely working, and his style has become a lot more unique lately. It seems his new found confidence has led directly to ‘Beautiful Destruction’ being able to express himself more freely in the octagon. Training with pro boxer Timothy Bradley is also helping his MMA, as Swanson explains.
“(Bradley) has had some big fights, and he usually beats me up. But now I’m getting better, and my coach wants us to spar a little more now. I look up to him, and there is a whole bunch of boxing talent in my home town. I talked to Sean Shelby about a switch to boxing, but he wouldn’t let me do both.”
“I’m not a big fan of WWE coming over to our sport, and everyone making a show of themselves. That’s not me, I’m not going to sell myself out to be someone I’m not. I’m not begging, I’m showing up and fighting. The fans like my style, I let my fighting do the talking, and I’m going to do it my way. (Conor) is creating this hype, but eventually he is going to get knocked off this high pedestal that he is creating for himself. He is doing this whole song and dance. Poirier is a lot more talented than McGregor, but (Conor) has been lucky that he has been able to feed off his opponents nerves so far and win.”
Much respect goes to Swanson for not buying in to trash talking and social media trolling to get a title shot, and his confidence in his ability will likely carry him to an eventual title fight. That being said, I wouldn’t be surprised if Conor McGregor is fast tracked to the top five with a win over ‘Diamond’ at UFC 178.
Trash talking is clearly not part of Swanson’s MO, but do you feel that he would be promised a title shot if he was involved in beef with Aldo or Mendes? Either way, it’s likely that the SoCal native will be taking another fight very soon; high risk strategy, but a very big prize if it pays off.
Photo: Troy Taormina for USA TODAY Sports
