Cub Swanson battles to avoid a three fight losing streak against perennially underrated Hacran Dias for UFC on FOX 19 in Florida.
Cub tries to avoid unemployment on the horizon, however far, this April 16, 2016 against Hacran Dias at the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida.
The Match Up
Featherweight Cub Swanson 21-7 vs. Hacran Dias 23-3-1
The Odds
Featherweight Cub Swanson -120 vs. Hacran Dias +100
3 Things You Should Know
1. Swanson has had two very tough losses to two very elite fighters. It’s not a downward trend, but it’s not like his quality of competition is getting easier.
There’s always someone to boil the fun rather than spoil it. Swanson is all about high event pugilism. He’ll get his chances, but he’ll sacrifice some in the process. For most of his career, this has made him an ideal main carder. It nearly put him on the title fight map. But alas, here we are, two losses and years later, wondering if his window has already closed. MMA has an accelerated shelf life, especially at the lower weights. Is Hacran Dias the one to make a dramatic example of Cub’s career?
2. Hacran Dias is the most plain Jane of ethnic names. Perhaps that helps explain why no one knows who he is.
People are simple creatures, Just as you’re more likely to trust someone attractive, or doubt someone that isn’t, a Brazilian name you confuse with different Brazilian names that hasn’t seen main card action much is worthless to casual viewers. Cub has this one in the bag, right? Dias is one of the UFC’s most underrated fighters. A 3-2 UFC record doesn’t exactly jump out on the page, but with wins over fighters like Iuri Alcantara, and Darren Elkins, he should at least command some respect. He will this weekend, in victory or defeat.
3. Expect an emotional bout, competently fought.
Cub is one of the most interval strikers in the game. He’s great at punctuating offense rather than generating it. This serves his eccentric style, full of spinning backfists and capoeira kicks, well as it’s hard to predict. The reason this has worked against upper echelon fighters is that behind the dubbed Kung Fu striking is real technical acumen. Because of this, Cub knows where to be with his strikes.
Dias is the opposite, opting for low risk boxing that keeps him insulated from dealing with specialist cuteness. He’s never been finished in his career because he understands defense. It’s the same principles in jiu jitsu; just as position precedes submissions, footwork precedes striking. He’s not much of a striker, but he knows how to anticipate offense in order to minimize it.
In the transition, Dias is good at slithering his way into position. He doesn’t make a bunch of sudden movements that would make his strategy predictable. His movements are poker faced all the way through a la Demian Maia. His pedigree isn’t as strong, but he’s a workhorse in the clinch.
Prediction
This is a winnable fight for Dias. On the ground, he’s better, and his patient approach can easily break Swanson, who has been submitted five times throughout his career. However, I still believe in Cub’s ability to keep it on the feet. Cub isn’t noticeably shopworn that would otherwise explain some sort of decline, and for all of Dias’ strengths, he can look muted at times. Cub Swanson by Decision.