Cub Swanson isn’t happy.
Suffering through shots of featherweight contender Conor McGregor sitting cageside at UFC 179 in Rio de Janeiro, Swanson was forced to enjoy the action from home.
— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) October 26, 2014
Facing the media after 25 minutes of work against Chad Mendes, UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo wasn’t even asked about Swanson.
UFC president Dana White did his best to help build imaginary barriers for McGregor to climb in the form of a ‘motivated’ Denis Siver, but eyes could be heard rolling in the back row.
Swanson’s name didn’t garner so much as a mention during the entire post-fight press conference and the proverbial writing on the wall seemed clear.
Despite all this, Swanson says the UFC assures him that he, not McGregor, will be next for a shot at Aldo barring a loss to former challenger Frankie Edgar.
The @ufc has assured me the next shot at Aldo. As long as I win my fight against Edgar. http://t.co/PIRQgURAAS
— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) October 26, 2014
‘Pissed off about the title situation,’ Swanson still isn’t holding his breath.
“I’ll be excited to get a title shot when I have a contract for that fight, but until then it’s just words,” Swanson told Bleacher Report. “I’ve had a chip on my shoulder for a long time and especially so now with all of this. I’m just going to keep winning fights, and I’ll take out the frustration of being passed over on whoever they put in front of me.”
6-0 in the UFC since 2012, Swanson has seen featherweight title shots awarded to Edgar, Chan Sung Jung and Ricardo Lamas, none of whom had put together that sort of win streak.
Swanson joined Aldo’s highlight reel in 2009 at WEC 41 when he was famously knocked out just eight seconds into their title eliminator bout with a flying knee. It remains Swanson’s sole stoppage via strikes.
“For my past three fights, people have been asking me if I’m excited to get the title shot. My win over Dennis Siver could have gotten it. My fight against Jeremy Stephens was supposed to be an official title eliminator, and this fight with Edgar is another title eliminator. They’ve decided to pass me by, and hearing the winner gets a title shot almost means nothing to me.”
Swanson faces Edgar in the main event at UFC Fight Night: Edgar vs. Swanson Nov. 22 in Austin, Texas.
5 MUST-READ STORIES
Aftermath. Dave Doyle recaps everything of note from UFC 179.
Post Show. Ariel Helwani and Guilherme Cruz wrap up UFC 179, breaking down the top storylines coming out of Saturday night’s card.
Free ones. Jose Aldo ‘thought the fight was over’ after landing two controversial post-bell punches on Chad Mendes.
‘He’s a guy who just talks.’ Jose Aldo compares Conor McGregor to Chael Sonnen. ‘He hasn’t fought anyone as tough as us. So to get here right now and talk, I’ve heard that a lot.’
‘I’m going to rip his head off.’ Conor McGregor says he’s ‘going to punish’ Dennis Siver over the German’s failed drug-test.
MEDIA STEW
Highlights from Jose Aldo vs. Chad Mendes at UFC 179.
Dana White weighs in on Aldo/Mendes.
UFC 179 post-fight presser highlights. (Full presser here)
Conor McGregor’s media scrum prior to UFC 179.
Highlights from Bellator 130.
Anderson Silva walks out in Rio.
Long watches.
UFC 179: Fight Club Q&A with Conor McGregor
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Joe Rogan Experience – Fight Companion – October 25, 2014
TWEETS
Check out our Pros React piece for instant reaction from UFC 179.
Victory lap.
As usual one already and barbecue to celebrate our victory !!! I’m the greatest #hotwhey #tnt #venumteam #nu #cears
Thank you everyone @Affliction @AllianceMMA @OakGroveTech @MMADraft #PinkRibbon #zipzap #ufc179 pic.twitter.com/8rZI2fBHFM
— Phil Davis (@PhilMrWonderful) October 26, 2014
Awesome experience visiting Christ The Redeemer! #UFC179 #Brazil pic.twitter.com/5sIPLpTbM1
— Darren Elkins (@Darren_Elkins) October 26, 2014
Toughest guy I’ve fought so far. It was a pleasure to fight carlos diego ferreira. I’m sure we will do… http://t.co/QKMglc97jA
— Beneil Dariush (@beneildariush_) October 26, 2014
“I wanted to come back here, dominate and prove myself as a fighter.” @NeilMagny #UFC179 pic.twitter.com/3GGvy4qgM4
— UFC (@ufc) October 26, 2014
Idk why, I just really like this picture. pic.twitter.com/sTXUg6XLWT
— Andre Fili (@TouchyFili) October 26, 2014
.@GilbertDurinho: ‘faltando 20 segundos eu resolvi dar o bote’, – http://t.co/o9uIIBGb6T pic.twitter.com/oLzIolEvnk
— UFC Brasil (@ufc_brasil) October 26, 2014
“It has always been a dream to come to Brazil, show my Brazilian jiujitsu, that’s what happened today.”@TMartinMMA pic.twitter.com/vXDs91bNq1
— UFC (@ufc) October 26, 2014
Better luck next time.
Wow! This is badass. What a war RT @Derevnia2: @josealdojunior Vs @chadmendes Spirit Glory on the Maracana https://t.co/9AXqL0h8DC
— chad mendes (@chadmendes) October 26, 2014
Brazil! I want to tell you all that I and my friend gloverteixeira we are very honored to have risen and left our blood in the Octagon. I fought for you too and I am honored by this, I did not take the best of this increasingly returning to train hard with my team and very soon I will smile back at you. Many thanks to everyone who supported me!
Brasil! Quero dizer a todos vocês que eu e meu amigo @gloverteixeira estamos muito honrado em ter… http://t.co/118tatnina
— william patolino (@williampatolino) October 26, 2014
Good bye Brazil
— NAOYUKI KOTANI (@naoyuki_kotani) October 26, 2014
Hats off to Wilson. That shit hurt. I thought I had him when I dropped him. #waitingtogetxrayinUSA pic.twitter.com/8udKLaUedQ
— Scott jorgensen (@Scottjorgensen) October 26, 2014
Last nights fight. Another cool shot!! Gotta feel good about something #fight @ufc … http://t.co/OqMpKI1iDE pic.twitter.com/nnMToRTakH
— christos giagos (@CGiagos) October 26, 2014
Next?
Toasting whiskey to a phenomenal contest. Respect and congrats to both competitors. Rest up well. The King is coming. pic.twitter.com/IY2gc2tKtZ
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) October 26, 2014
Interesting.
Dominick Cruz says on the @FOXSports1 pre-fight show that he would move to 145 to fight Aldo, Mendes or McGregor. “Money fights,” he said.
— UFCONFOX (@UFCONFOX) October 25, 2014
Davis fan.
These boys are getting soft calling out fighters that are coming back from a serious injury or retired from the game! #GetSerious
— Anthony Johnson (@Anthony_Rumble) October 26, 2014
Agree?
@chadhoward01 we need to put an ear piece in the refs ear so they can get a 10 second countdown
— Dana White (@danawhite) October 26, 2014
Cool.
Hello @MartinsvilleSwy very excited to be the #HonoraryStarter for the @NASCAR races!!!! http://t.co/EQ33xdfSvk
— Miesha Tate (@MieshaTate) October 26, 2014
Out there dancing.
Ready for Halloween.
@Randy_Couture Our Halloween costumes for tonight! A ring girl and Chuck Liddell, lol, pic.twitter.com/ilpMGAyYJD
— Mindy Robinson (@iheartmindy) October 25, 2014
Brilliant! @Randy_Couture dressed up as former rival @ChuckLiddell for a Halloween party l… http://t.co/i07JRDQMqV pic.twitter.com/CyPAO0wmSh
— Cathal Pendred (@PendredMMA) October 26, 2014
Dressed up as lady bug heading to a pumpkin patch. ZERO FUCKS GIVEN #talkshitatownrisk lol pic.twitter.com/YDocUI36Wr
— DaMarques Johnson (@DaMarques_UFC) October 26, 2014
Less then 3weeks till i return to @CageWarriors 74 Nov 15th Copper Box London & ill be rolling on a river! #CWFC74 pic.twitter.com/kwgIoIKVF3
— John Maguire (@MaguireTheOne) October 26, 2014
Who doesn’t love Chewbacca hoodies http://t.co/ox1srX6KR2 pic.twitter.com/owLB7iDAuX
— Mitch Clarke (@MitchClarkeMMA) October 26, 2014
Halloweens on Friday. What’s everyone gunna be?? http://t.co/49QogfTRBC pic.twitter.com/N589K8bjcD
— Felice Herrig (@feliceherrig) October 26, 2014
The Axe Murderer. ?????? ? ????????. 2005 ???. http://t.co/t8DwOERaFi pic.twitter.com/WWh1GvzBun
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) October 26, 2014
I always have to push the envelope.. #EBOLA pic.twitter.com/tmNHH1yV3Y
— Colton Smith (@ColtonSmithMMA) October 25, 2014
You know you made it in life when kids are dressing up as you for Halloween! http://t.co/zFHmZTp5jQ
— Ben Askren (@Benaskren) October 27, 2014
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Oct. 24-26 2014)
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FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes via Hoss.Boss.
MMA in Canada Fighting Against Hockey for the Limelight
Tonight’s UFC 179 card does not have televised prelims, at least not in Canada. With Rogers recent purchase of the rights to the NHL formerly consistent UFC content is getting pushed out of the way for Canada’s national sport.
Once referred to as the “Mecca of MMA” Canada received a great deal in the Rogers Sportsnet contract that the UFC was able to secure. Even fights in other countries, available only on Fightpass in the UFC’s home country south of the Canadian border, were live on TV for Canadian fans.
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Check out the rest of the post here.
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