With all the attention placed upon the headliners at the UFC on Fox 4 event, it’s easy to forget this card marks the return of former welterweight title contender Mike Swick.
The AKA product was originally scheduled to return in Jan. of last year but the bout fell apart due to an injury with David Mitchell and Swick’s stomach illness returning. Swick has battled through a number of injuries and medical complications to step back into the Octagon for the first time since Feb. of 2010.
Prior to his extended leave, Swick saw his place in the welterweight rankings falter after dropping two straight bouts. The first was a tough fight against Dan Hardy and the second loss saw Swick be choked out by Paulo Thiago.
Swick joined the UFC’s ranks after competing on the first season of The Ultimate Fighter where Swick would fail to make it to the finals but impressed on the show’s finale by dropping Alex Schoenauer with a single punch. En route to building an impressive 14-2 record prior to the losses, Swick displayed amazingly quick hand speed, thus earning the nickname “Quick.”
He had built a run of impressive victories before dropping an unanimous decision to Yushin Okami at UFC 69, which forced Swick to drop to 170 pounds afterward. Again Swick built an impressive streak of wins until being dropped numerous times in his contest with Hardy to lose an unanimous decision.
The loss to Thiago in particular showed that something seemed a little off about Swick. He didn’t seem like himself and was summarily submitted by the Brazilian.
Now Swick finds himself facing off against DaMarques Johnson on the main card of the UFC on Fox 4 event. The bout was originally slated to be on the preliminary card but was bumped up to the main card after a bout between Travis Browne and Ben Rothwell was scrapped.
It may be a blessing in disguise or a curse for Swick as he will lead off the main card on Fox. It’s his first fight in over two years and it may have been better for him to compete on the prelims. We all know how the bright lights of the UFC can get to anyone, and Swick’s adrenaline will no doubt be flowing as he steps back into the Octagon.
Regardless of where Swick’s fight is on the card, he is without a doubt the fighter with the most of lose. He was once considered a top five talent at welterweight, and a loss to Johnson would be his third loss in a row. Losing three in a row and losing to a fighter of Johnson’s caliber would undoubtedly bury Swick in the seemingly crowded welterweight division.
Johnson has always been a “middle of the road” type of fighter, the type that Swick should have no problems with. Yet Swick will likely be a little rusty in his first fight back, which could hinder his performance against a durable fighter like Johnson.
Swick finds himself in an unfavourable place as a loss puts him back at the drawing board in his career while anything less than an impressive showing against Johnson does little to advance Swick back into the crowded realm of contenders at 170 pounds.
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