Duane Finley | UFC Betting Sites - The Best MMA Online Bookies

Ryan Bader out to Prove He Is a Top Fighter in UFC Light Heavyweight Division

Last summer Ryan Bader found himself wondering where he fit in the UFC light heavyweight division. He was reeling in the aftermath of a stunning upset against Hall of Fame former champion Tito Ortiz, and the former TUF winner couldn’t seem to find his …

The loss forced him to question everything but it was amidst this personal chaos where he found his answers.

Rather than recoil and pine over the tough stretch, Bader rededicated himself to the grind. Alongside his teammates and close friends at his Power MMA, the former standout wrestler from Arizona State University reassessed everything about his skill set. Like a mechanic in a machine shop, he broke it apart to rebuild a stronger version.

The first glimpse the MMA world had of the new and improved Ryan Bader came against Jason Brilz at UFC 139 in November. It took him less than two minutes to finish the job, and the victory earned him the right to face another former champion in Quinton Jackson.

“Rampage” was to be his biggest challenge to date and by using improved speed and footwork, he was able to earn the unanimous decision victory.

The win served to push Bader back up the divisional rankings alongside a pack of others who are all seeking a crack at the title. On Saturday night, Bader will face the always-elusive Lyoto Machida and will look to keep his momentum rolling.

“Having those losses were tough,” Bader told Bleacher Report. “It brings your confidence down and makes you wonder if you belong. But we sat down and figured out what we were doing wrong. We got a new coaching staff. Most importantly we brought on a new head coach and boxing coach. We handed over the reigns and gave everything over to them to run our camps.

“Bringing the coaches on was huge. It helped us put everything together and now everyone is working towards the same goal. Coach is great about getting different sparring partners to emulate the opponent coming up. My boxing is a lot better because I’m actually working with a real boxing coach. Everything is working out very well.

“I’ve worked a ton of footwork and head movement. Those are the little things in striking you have to do and I had never done them before. My new coaches have me doing this day in and out and the results have shown. I went out there and knocked out Jason Brilz.

“In that fight I probably looked the best I’ve ever looked on my feet. In the next fight against Rampage we had a game plan to strike and get out. We didn’t want to play into his power and it worked out. I’ve started to do the little things which will make a huge difference.

“Since then I’m on a good little win streak. Those have come over some tough guys. Coming into this fight with Machida, I feel confident. It’s a great opportunity to fight on Fox in the co-main event against a former champion. That will be two former champions in a row and I’m looking to take him out.

Bader fired out of the gates in his career as we was victorious in his first 12 outings. Those accomplishments pushed him into the Top 10 rankings of the UFC light heavyweight division where the caliber of competition is fierce.

Despite stumbling in back-to-back outings against Jones and Ortiz, Bader has worked diligently to regain his status as one of the top 205-pound fighters in the organization.

Over the course of his comeback, Bader feels his overall skill set has improved drastically. Working with a boxing coach has increased both his speed and movement which are two attributes which will be tested against the versatile striking style of Machida.

“You can’t let him dictate the spacing,” Bader said. “If you play into his fight you’re in trouble. He keeps the type of spacing where you think you are safe but he can close that distance very quickly and strike.

“There is a fine line between being aggressive and over-aggressive and stupid. I’m going to be smart about it. We’ve been working on it and I’m going to use everything. I’m going to use my hands, wrestling, kicks, and implement them all together. I believe that will be the key to my success in this fight.

“It’s been a unique experience preparing for Machida, but I like that. I love the challenge. Every fight is different and Lyoto is definitely one of those fighters who is totally different than anyone I’ve ever faced. It’s fun figuring that out. It’s about getting the right sparring partners and we were able to find a guy who emulates him perfectly.

“Lyoto has had some losses in his past few fights but he just fought for the title and he’s facing nothing but the very best in the division. You are going to see that when you are fighting that caliber of guys. I’m expecting a tough fight and for him to be the best he’s ever been. I’m ready for it.”

When Dana White made the announcement this week regarding who could grab the next title shot, Bader’s name was amongst those listed.

The UFC President suggested whomever was to look the most impressive in victory would be granted the opportunity. While becoming a champion is Bader’s ultimate goal, his focus on Machida does not allow outside static to break through.

“I mainly block that stuff out,” Bader said. “I don’t need any extra motivation for this fight. It’s a huge fight. It is the co-main event on Fox against a former champion. I’m looking to go in there and win impressively any ways.

“It would be cool to get the title shot but I’m not thinking about that right now. I’m thinking about going in there and beating Machida. Everything else will take care of itself. A title shot is always in the back of your mind, but it’s not something that is going to change the way I fight or my game plan.”

Since winning the eighth season of The Ultimate Fighter, Bader’s profile has been on a steady rise. He has compiled victories over a handful of impressive names but despite the quality wins, there are remnants of the TUF stigma still lingering.

While he feels the win over Rampage helped to break that stereotype, he is confident a win over Machida will be a definitive statement that he belongs at the top of the division.

“I do think there is a little bit of a stigma that hangs on you if you win TUF, but I’ve been fighting talented guys for awhile,” Bader said. “Starting with Keith Jardine, the competition only got better. Four or my last five fights have come against either current or former champions.

“I think when you start to face that type of competition you start to get away from that TUF stereotype. I definitely believe a win over Machida puts me right there at the top of the division. Every win over a tough guy just solidifies your career and your place in the bigger picture. That is what I’m looking to do.

“It’s about growing as a fighter. I got to a certain point using a certain skill set where I was able to get by with what I had. A few fights ago I changed that up. I feel as if I’m really progressing over the past year; more so over my past two fights than I have my entire career. I feel like I’m just hitting my stride and getting to where I want to become the best fighter I can be.

“People are going to see a new fighter on Saturday. I’ve been working with these coaches for just a short amount of time and I’ve grown so much. I’m going to bring new tools to the game. I’m going to be aggressive but smart, and I’m going out there and getting the win. I’m going to shock a lot of people.”

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Mauricio "Shogun" Rua Finds Motivation from His Fans

When the books are finally closed on Mauricio “Shogun” Rua’s career, it is difficult to imagine him being remmebered as anything but one of the greatest fighters of his era. The Pride Middleweight Grand Prix winner and former UFC light heavyweight champion has amassed a decorated career. It is one which was built on his aggressive fighting style and earned victories over a handful of the sport’s elite.

In the days when the sport of MMA was attempting to flourish, Rua’s talents made him a phenom. While the UFC was battling for recognition stateside, Rua was helping to lead the charge from the otherside of the globe.

Expectations where high when Rua finally joined the UFC roster and despite getting off to a disappointing start, the resilient Brazilian striker battled to become the champion of the organization’s most popular division. Earning a UFC championship was yet another building block of his legacy, but as the next wave of talent emerged in the form of Jon Jones, Rua was dethroned in brutal fashion.

After years spent in the fires of live combat, time appeared to be catching up Rua. Questions began to circulate regarding Rua’s durability and heart but he answered the call with vigor in his most recent outing against Dan Henderson at UFC 139. In a war often referred to as “The Fight of the Century” Rua and Henderson took one another to the brink. While Rua would ultimately come up short on the judge’s scorecards, it was another definitive moment in an outstanding career and proved he still has the talent to compete with the sport’s best.

On Saturday night in Los Angeles he will make his first appearance in the Octagon since his epic battle with Henderson as he faces Brandon Vera in the main event of UFC on Fox 4. With very little left to prove, Rua made it clear what has motivated him to return to action.

“I expect a good fight. Both of us are aggressive strikers. We both like to stand and exchange and I’m sure it’s going to be a very exciting fight for the fans.

“It’s hard to see where the advantages will be in this fight. We both have a good background in Muay Thai and I believe the fight will be decided on the feet. I’m prepared for all situations though and if the fight goes to the ground it’s okay. That will be no problem for me.

“I’m always looking at the fight in front of me for motivation. I have trained hard and I’m ready for this fight on Saturday night. As a professional fighter you want to have the belt. It is the most important thing and my goal is to get back to being the champion.

“I want to thank all of my fans so much for their support. The only thing I can promise them is that I will do my very best on Saturday night. I will put on a great show for my fans to pay them back for all the support they have given me over the years. It has been a great motivation for me and I will give my best against Brandon Vera on Saturday.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Mike Swick Ready to Get His Career Back at UFC on Fox 4

With his long-awaited return to the Octagon rapidly approaching, Mike Swick is ready to get back to work. After being out of action for 30 months, the AKA-trained fighter is excited to put the past behind him and return to doing damage in the UFC welte…

To say his time away has been frustrated would be an understatement. On several occasions, Swick has been scheduled to fight only to have his body rebel, ultimately forcing him back to the sidelines.

Following his bout with Paulo Thiago in 2010, a stomach ailment drastically hindered his ability to keep up the daunting training schedule required of a mixed martial artist at the highest level.

It took time for Swick to get the issue to a tolerable level and under control, but just when he appeared to be on the comeback trail, a major knee injury arose which forced him to withdraw from his bout with Erick Silva at UFC 134.

Despite the setbacks, Swick’s passion for competition never wavered. He fought onward through a grueling rehab in the hopes that some day he would be able to get back to doing what he loves. Fortunately for him, that opportunity is just around the corner, and he’s very much looking forward to getting back to trading leather on the sport’s biggest stage.

“I’m excited about returning,” Swick told Bleacher Report. “I’ve been out for 30 months but I’m healthy and super ready to get back in there.

“During my time away I’ve had a lot of time to focus on other things. I’m building a gym in Thailand, which has always been a dream of mine. I also have a screen printing business in San Jose. Those things are great but when it came to prepare I hit AKA as I always do and got to work.”

For his return, Swick faces fellow TUF alum DeMarques Johnson. Both fighters are looking to get back on track, as Swick is on a two-fight skid and Johnson took a submission loss in his last outing. In an increasingly competitive welterweight division, there is little room for error, which makes their bout at UFC on Fox 4 all the more important.

“I think it’s a great matchup,” Swick said. “I think he’s an exciting fighter who brings it. I think it’s going to be great. In this fight, fans are going to see just how bad I want to get my career back.

“He has strong punches and a good ground game. I have to be aware when I’m trading punches with him and make sure not to get caught with too many as we’re exchanging. I also have to be cautious about getting tangled up with him on the ground. He has long legs and I can’t let him play his game there.

While the picture at 170 pounds hardly resembles the weight class Swick last competed in, he’s fired up for the opportunity to test his skills against the division’s best.

“I’m excited about the division. It’s a jam-packed division with a lot of talent and I can’t wait to get back in there and mix it up.”

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Benavidez on a Quest for UFC Gold, Looking to Make History in the Process

Every fighter dreams of that moment where their hand is raised and UFC President Dana White straps the championship belt around their waist.It is the pinnacle of years of hard work and sacrifice, as their accomplishments are laid out on the sport’s big…

Every fighter dreams of that moment where their hand is raised and UFC President Dana White straps the championship belt around their waist.

It is the pinnacle of years of hard work and sacrifice, as their accomplishments are laid out on the sport’s biggest stage for the world to see. It is the juncture where a career spent earning every inch of ground finally meets the greatest expectations they’ve always imagined they could achieve.

Becoming a champion in the UFC is the ultimate validation for a professional mixed martial artist. After expending countless hours breaking down their bodies in the hope of rebuilding a more capable version of themselves, a fighter will do whatever it takes to claim the sport’s greatest prize.

In that fraction of time where their hand is raised in victory and the mission is complete, it would be hard to imagine a more rewarding achievement.

While this scenario has played through Joseph Benavidez‘s mind like a highlight set on repeat, 12 pounds of gold is not the only treasure at the end of this journey. Perhaps even more important than fulfilling his dream of becoming a UFC champion is the opportunity to become the first man to hold the flyweight title in the organization’s history.

At the sport’s highest level, champions come and go, but stepping into the Octagon and forging a piece of history will endure.

He will have the unique opportunity to claim everything he has been chasing when he squares off with Demetrius Johnson in the main event of UFC 152 in Toronto. The two men will battle to decide who will become the inaugural flyweight champion, and Benavidez is prepared to give everything he has to make this dream become a reality.

“I’m fighting for the first ever flyweight title and that’s huge,” Benavidez told Bleacher Report in an exclusive interview.

“People become champions in this sport all the time but becoming the first person to ever hold the title is an accomplishment that goes down in history.To compete in the UFC is an incredible honor. To become a UFC champion is a dream come true. But I get to be the first guy to ever win this title. This will only happen once and I get to be the man to do it.

“To become a champion has always been my goal. It is the reason I train so hard. I believe I work hard enough and I’m definitely willing to do the things no one else will do. That is what it takes to become a champion. I came close to getting the title in my fight with Dominick Cruz and this is another opportunity to make my dream come true. I’ve obviously improved since my last title shot and this is a better weight for me to compete at.”

When the UFC announced the creation of the flyweight division and the names of the four men competing in the tournament, Benavidez was touted as an early favorite to earn the crown.

While Johnson drew Ian McCall in the opening round, Benavidez squared off with Yasuhiro Urushitani at UFC on FX 2 in Sydney Australia.

After dominating the opening round of the bout, Benavidez showed off his power by dropping Urushitani in the second round. Once he had the Japanese fighter in trouble, Benavidez’s killer instinct took over and he pounded out the stoppage victory.

It was an impressive 125-pound debut for the Team Alpha Male fighter.

When Johnson defeated McCall the flyweight title bout appeared to be set. But after an error on the judge’s score cards resulted in the fight being declared a draw, Benavidez was pushed to the sidelines.

Johnson and McCall would rematch several months later, and Benavidez had to bide his time until a clear cut contender emerged.

Following another battle that went the distance, Johnson would claim victory. Now Benavidez has his sights set on “Mighty Mouse.” While the wait hasn’t always been the easiest, he found ways to keep the situation in a positive space at all times.

“Waiting for this fight to come around has definitely been difficult but situations like this happen all the time in this sport,” Benavidez said. “It is really all about making the situation positive rather than a negative. I could’ve looked at it as I had all the time in the world to take a break, not train and let my foot off the gas, but that’s not what I did. I saw the opportunity to use the extra time to get that much better and I made the most of it.

“It’s actually really nice when you are training without a fight set. When you have a fight coming up it is a steady grind and you are concentrating on one person. You are really getting into shape and preparing for what they are going to bring to the table. While I was waiting to see who I would be facing for the title it allowed me to work on a wider scope of things I normally wouldn’t do had I been in camp for a specific fight.

“I switched it up with trainers and got different looks. I’ve been working with a boxing coach Jimmy Gifford in Las Vegas and those types of things really help. I also spent time assisting on The Ultimate Fighter and that gave me eight new bodies to train with as well. I was able to do a lot of things I couldn’t do had I been in the regular grind of a fight camp and I definitely feel I’ve improved every aspect of my fight game.

“Every time I thought about having to wait for this fight all I had to do was remind myself I’m waiting to become the first ever flyweight champion in UFC history. When you have to wait it definitely makes it easier when you know the UFC title is what you are waiting for.”

Benavidez and Johnson are easily two of the most dynamic fighters in the sport. Both have solid wrestling skills and speed which can be matched by few. Despite their stature, both had successful runs in the bantamweight division and it promises to be an exciting fight when they throw down in Toronto at UFC 152.

“It’s an incredible matchup,” Benavidez said. “D.J. is someone I have so much respect for as both a person and a fighter. I’ve always been impressed with him. He’s one of those guys who was always fighting larger opponents and I’ve always been impressed. He’s one of the most fluid and fastest fighters in the UFC. He’s always fun to watch and I think I’m the same way. It’s definitely going to be an exciting fight.

“Every single fight in the 125 pound weight class has been amazing so far. They are fast-paced, highly entertaining, and now we have the two best guys going at it with everything on the line. History is on the line here. It doesn’t matter where you put Demetrius and I. They could put us in a backyard or in sparring and it would be an amazing show. But putting us under the spotlight to settle who will become the first flyweight champion is going to be a battle for the ages.”

While Benavidez cannot predict the future, he’s confident every ounce of sweat he’s invested in his career has led to this moment. It has been a roller coaster ride, one that has taken him from the desolate backdrop of Las Cruces New Mexico to the bright lights of the sport’s biggest stage.

He is a firm believer that you truly get out what you put in and in his heart, Benavidez knows he’s paid his dues. All of the sacrifice and hardship have brought him to this point. He knows what it feels like to pick yourself up — to push that much harder. While he can’t fully grasp what the moment will feel like, he’s prepared and determined to accomplish his dream of becoming a champion.

“It feels as if I have new life in my career,” Benavidez said. “It’s something I’ve been waiting for and I’ve always known this weight would suit me best. Now I have the opportunity to make my name as one of the best fighters ever.

“Just thinking about becoming a champion instantly cheers me. I can almost picture it happening but I could never imagine what it will actually feel like. I get that feeling of what it could be like and all the possibilities and the future. I’m starting to see things come together and with everything I’ve been through in my life, all the hard work is leading to this moment. This is what it has all been for. It’s going to be the most amazing moment of my life when it actually happens.”

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Ricardo Lamas Looks to Go from Underdog to UFC Champion

Ricardo Lamas spent his time in the WEC quietly collecting wins and sharpening the tools he would one day need to be a serious contender in the sport.But after the UFC merger and a drop to featherweight, Lamas flipped the switch into high gear and has …

Ricardo Lamas spent his time in the WEC quietly collecting wins and sharpening the tools he would one day need to be a serious contender in the sport.

But after the UFC merger and a drop to featherweight, Lamas flipped the switch into high gear and has steamrolled every opponent put in his path.

He made an impressive Octagon debut with a nasty head kick TKO over Matt Grice. Lamas followed up that performance by submitting the always-game Cub Swanson in the second round of his next outing, but despite back-to-back finishes, there was little talk of the Chicago native being amongst the divisional contenders.

This circumstance would change when Lamas stepped in against highly-touted Japanese superstar Hatsu Hioki in Atlantic City.

With Hioki on the verge of a title shot and Lamas a heavy underdog, “The Bully” shocked the MMA world when he dominated Hioki from bell to bell. The victory was undoubtedly the biggest of Lamas’ young career and he now finds himself within reach of obtaining his ultimate goal.

“I knew I was going to be the underdog going into the Hioki fight,” Lamas told Bleacher Report in an exclusive interview.

“It didn’t bother me at all because it’s not the first time I’ve been in that position. The thing people need to understand is that I have a lot of confidence in myself and I don’t listen to those things that are being said. Opinions and MMA rankings don’t matter to me because I know what I’m capable of. What matters is what I believe in my own heart and I knew I stood a good chance of beating him. I went out and proved it.

“Little by little, as the fight progressed on I started to realize a lot of the things around him were hype. It became more obvious the longer the fight went.

“I went into the fight extremely confident because I had worked very hard in my preparation. I train with some of the best in the world in striking, jiu-jitsu and just all-around MMA. I went in there with a lot of confidence and knew I had what it took to beat him.”

As soon as the action got underway, it was all Lamas as he took the fight to Hioki. By using his pressure and wrestling, he was able to keep his opponent off balance.

In the second round, Lamas latched onto an arm-in guillotine which appeared to have Hioki in deep trouble. But despite having the submission locked on tight, Hioki was able to survive the hold and make it out of the round.

“I truly thought I was close to finishing him with that choke,” Lamas said. “In training, when I catch someone with that guillotine, especially the arm-in guillotine, there is no getting out of it. They always tap and when he didn’t, I was definitely surprised.

“I think part of Hioki’s training must be to hold his breath as long as he possibly can because that’s exactly what he was doing. I said at the post-fight press conference he must’ve had gills or something because I don’t know how he was getting air. That choke was tight.”

A year ago, the competition was thin in the UFC featherweight division, but now things have begun to heat up as several contenders are hovering towards the top. With the victory over Hioki, Lamas has propelled himself up directly into the middle of the mix.

With champion Jose Aldo preparing to face Erik Koch later this year, there is a vacancy in the “next” position. The recent announcement of Chan Sung Jung (Korean Zombie) taking time off due to injury, the only two upper-tier fighters left standing are Lamas and former No. 1 contender Chad Mendes.

Lamas holds Mendes and his camp in high regard and would be excited for the opportunity should the UFC make that call.

“I have a lot of respect for Chad Mendes and his camp,” Lamas said.

“When I first started fighting, Urijah Faber was one of the fighters I really looked up to. I still do and he’s one of my favorite fighters out there.

“We are both wrestlers. We are both explosive, strong and powerful. I think it would be a war. It would be a really fun fight and I think it has ‘Fight of the Night’ written all over it. If that’s what the UFC throws at me, then that is what we will do.”

It has been a mixture of skill and heart which has allowed Lamas to become one of the best featherweight fighters on the planet. Despite being overlooked by many, he has refused to allow outside static to slow down his pursuit for championship gold.

It is a goal he believes he can reach and he will stop at nothing until that mission is accomplished.

“Even before the fight with Hioki, I thought I could go in there and mix it up with the best guys in the world,” Lamas said.

“That opinion hasn’t changed. I believe I can go in there and not only compete but defeat anyone at the highest level. I think I’m right up there with the best guys in the division.

“My goal is the same as everyone else. I want to be able to wear that gold around my waist someday. To become the champion is the ultimate goal.

“As far as this year is concerned, I just want to keep the ball rolling like I have been. I want to keep winning and I really want to continue finishing my fights the way I did in 2011. I want to get back to where I not only win but finish my opponents as well.

“I have as much as heart as anyone out there. Whether it is in my division or the sport, I give it my all every time out. I’ll never back down from anyone and people should never count me out of fight.”

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

The Evolution of Cub Swanson

Cub Swanson is hitting his stride as a professional mixed martial artist. After years spent attempting to live up to his potential, the proud Southern Californian is finally firing on all cylinders. In his past two outings, Swanson has taken his game t…

Cub Swanson is hitting his stride as a professional mixed martial artist.

After years spent attempting to live up to his potential, the proud Southern Californian is finally firing on all cylinders. In his past two outings, Swanson has taken his game to the next level as he has scored TKO victories over George Roop and former TUF winner Ross Pearson.

Two outstanding performances where Swanson’s showed off elusive footwork, pinpoint accuracy and put away power have opened eyes as he attempts to climb the ladder into the divisional upper tier. He has always had the talent, but skill alone doesn’t produce a champion, and this is a fact Swanson is painfully aware of.

In order to reach the top of the sport, it takes an intangible called confidence, and when a fighter’s belief in his abilities equal his comfort level in the heat of live competition, it is a beautiful thing to watch.

“My confidence is great right now,” Swanson told Bleacher Report in an exclusive interview. “I’m coming off a big win and it is important because I haven’t been able to put together any type of win streak in awhile. I’ve had some rough times in this sport but I’ve made it through them and I’m still here.

“I’m still improving and it feels good. I’ve always trained hard and I’ve never slacked. After everything I’ve been through I’m starting to feel like all the work I’ve put into this is starting to pay off. Just knowing that makes me happy. I’m in a good place and I’m happy to be fighting for the UFC.”

Swanson faced a difficult task when he stepped into the Octagon against Pearson in Atlantic City. The heavy-handed Brit had looked impressive in his featherweight debut against Junior Assuncao and was garnering early talk for possible title contention. There was the feeling Swanson was to be a solid test on his way up the ladder, but the Palm Springs native had other plans as he finished Pearson with a flurry in the second round.

“I was happy with my performance against Pearson,” Swanson said. “I think I did very well but I’ve watched the video a ton of times and there are things I didn’t like. That’s just me though. I’m very critical of myself. But I executed the overall game plan nicely and I was accurate. What we saw going into the fight worked exactly as we had planned.

“It was tough for this camp because I started heavy and when I was trying to catch my flow I felt a little sluggish on my feet. But it was due to the extra weight and I knew after weigh-ins I couldn’t allow myself to regain too much weight because it was a critical issue. I knew if I was cautious of my weight going into the fight I would be able to be light on my feet and that was a huge factor.

“Getting off first and beating him to the punch was going to be key and that is how it played out.”

Swanson is a proud member of Team Jackson/Winkeljohn, located in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The camp is heralded as one of the most successful in the sport. While he was riding high after his hard earned victory over Pearson, the backlash Coach Jackson received following the performance of Clay Guida, certainly got under his skin.

“I think the criticism Coach Greg Jackson gets is ridiculous and it makes me angry,” Swanson said. “He’s my coach and I think it’s unnecessary. When we fight and do well nobody has anything to say. But when one of us doesn’t have a great performance then it is our coaches fault. I think it’s stupid and it’s not fair. He’s never once told me to take it easy, relax or pace myself. He wants you to finish the fight and to get out there and give it all you have.

“Obviously he wants you to fight smart but he wants you to be looking to finish. For him to be criticized about that stuff is a bunch of bull. It’s just haters man. So many people have so many nice things to say about him that people get annoyed by that and start looking for anything they can find to be negative.”

While Swanson’s striking was certainly the highlight of his bouts with Roop and Pearson, it may be his improved footwork that is the unsung hero. He has always been an extremely active fighter, but the power he has been able to generate in his most recent outings have made the difference.

“Footwork isn’t something you hear people talk about too much but it’s something as fighters we have to be able to utilize,” Swanson said. “We have to learn our body types and what style of fighting suits us. I’m fast and I move well so I know how to come in at weird angles and keep my feet under me. I’m looking for that power shot and I might not be able to fire off anything after it if my feet aren’t under me. Footwork is a huge part of my game.

“I do a lot of hurdles and ladders in training. I mix those in with a bunch of crazy agility drills to make sure my footwork is where I want it to be. I’m always working on balance and I have to give it up to my two strength and conditioning coaches for always pushing me. I have a coach in California and one in New Mexico, they both have different variations in their drilling and between the two places it has been awesome.”

His recent success has Cub Swanson feeling like the fighter he always knew he could be. Despite the roller coaster ride which comes with wins and losses in this sport, he knows those challenges have only served to make him a better competitor. They will also prepare him for the tough challenges which lie ahead.

If he is going to make a run at the featherweight title, he will most likely have to face a few familiar faces along the way.

“I definitely see myself in that top five mix but I’m in a weird situation now,” Swanson said. “I have a couple of people ahead of me and a few of them are injured. I’m just sitting behind them waiting to fight. The way I won my last two fights has pushed me up there and I’m excited about it.

“I’d like a title shot soon and I’d be very grateful but I’m really just having fun out there right now. I’m trying to make a name for myself and get the fans to know who I am. I’m not the most popular fighter but I’ve always tried to be exciting and put on good shows. That’s what I’m really focused on and if the opportunity comes for a title shot I will gladly take it. I’m not afraid of Jose Aldo.

“Chad Mendes and Ricardo Lamas are both fights I’d like to get back. But it all depends on how the UFC is with rematches. In the past they haven’t been too big on rematches unless they really need to be done and I don’t know how this is going to play out. It’s not my call but I’d definitely take them.

“I’m just happy to be here to be honest. I’ve been here a long time. I think I’m the original 145-pound fighter still in the division and I’ve definitely been here the longest. I’ve been around and I’m happy that I’m still around. I’m really getting to my full potential right now and feel like this is my time.”

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com