UFC featherweight legend Cub Swanson chose a remarkable way to conclude his career, should he decide to retire after UFC Tampa.
Despite the fact that ‘Father Time’ is undefeated, Cub Swanson showcased an impressive performance in the Octagon during the UFC Tampa co-main event.
Swanson faced off against Billy Quarantillo in an electrifying featherweight bout that took place on Saturday night. The bout truly lived up to expectations, as both fighters engaged in one of the most thrilling fights of the year.
While Quarantillo had his moments of glory against Swanson, it was ultimately the 41-year-old who emerged victorious in the end.
As time wound down in a potentially crucial third round, Swanson delivered a stunning one-punch knockout of Quarantillo, sending the crowd at the Amalie Arena into a frenzy. This walk-off finish harkened back to the days of a younger Swanson, who previously bested renowned fighters like Charles Oliveira and Dustin Poirier.
This victory marked Swanson’s first stoppage win since he knocked out Darren Elkins with a spinning wheel kick back in December 2021.
Following this major win, Swanson appeared uncertain about retirement, though he hinted he might be leaning towards stepping away from the sport in light of a pre-fight promise made to his wife. Additionally, Swanson was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame’s ‘Fight Wing’ for his memorable bout against Doo Ho Choi at UFC 206.
With his impressive resume, Swanson is a strong candidate for individual induction into the UFC Hall of Fame. His latest victory over Quarantillo improved his professional record to 30-14.
Leading into UFC Tampa, Swanson had indicated that the Quarantillo fight could potentially be his last appearance in the Octagon. With such a storybook ending at UFC Tampa, he may decide to retire and focus on the next chapter of his life.
Swanson made his UFC debut in November 2011, losing to Ricardo Lamas via second-round submission after Zuffa acquired WEC. However, he rebounded from this initial setback with an incredible six-fight win streak, putting him in contention for a featherweight title shot.
Despite wins over notable fighters like Jeremy Stephens and Dennis Siver, Swanson’s title aspirations were thwarted when he suffered a last-second submission loss to Frankie Edgar in 2014. He would then face Max Holloway in his next fight, which also ended in defeat before he managed to secure another winning streak.
Heading into UFC Tampa, Swanson faced a recent split decision loss to Andre Fili at UFC 303—a match that garnered ‘Fight of the Night’ accolades. His last victory before this event came against Hakeem Dawodu last year.
Should Swanson choose to make UFC Tampa his final fight, it would serve as a perfect capstone to the career of this fan-favorite fighter. Only time will reveal if he will honor his pre-fight commitments and retire after such a triumphant performance.
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