If Cub Swanson’s final MMA fight was last night (Sat., Dec. 14, 2024) at UFC Tampa LIVE on ESPN2/ESPN+ from inside Amalie Arena in Tampa, Fla., then it was the perfect way to go out.
Swanson, who turned 41 this past November, has been competing under the UFC banner for 13 years. The veteran fighter was fighting for the love of the sport on Saturday night and to prove he still belongs inside of the Octagon. After last weekend’s duds by mainstay veterans Chris Weidman, Anthony Smith, and Clay Guida, Swanson was fighting an uphill battle at UFC Tampa.
Fortunately, Swanson’s 41-year-old chin held up against a high-volume fighter in Quarantillo. The two featherweights would exchange punches and kicks in bunches and had each other hurt at different times of the fight. Quarantillo appeared to have a little more gas left in the tank down the stretch, but Swanson just needed one shot to turn the momentum back in his favor.
That moment came just over one minute into the third round when Swanson made his move and launched a perfectly-timed right hand. It crashed into Quarantillo and instantly put him out. Quarantillo fell backwards onto the canvas and sprawled out. It was a tremendous finish by Swanson, who hinted at potential retirement during his post-fight speech.
Check out the video highlights below:
CUB SWANSON WITH THE WALK-OFF K.O. #UFCTampa pic.twitter.com/21HA1szYbt
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) December 15, 2024
? “I told my wife this might be the last one!” #UFCTamopa
Cub Swanson on his fighting future… pic.twitter.com/U8K3NXQYdA
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) December 15, 2024
For complete UFC Tampa results, coverage, and highlights, click HERE.