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Cub Swanson: ‘I’ve Always Believed That Fighters Owe the Fans a Show’

From a very young age, UFC featherweight Cub Swanson knew he was destined to become a professional athlete of some kind.If you had told Swanson he’d be fighting inside an Octagon for one of the world’s fastest growing organizations such as the UFC, he’…

From a very young age, UFC featherweight Cub Swanson knew he was destined to become a professional athlete of some kind.

If you had told Swanson he’d be fighting inside an Octagon for one of the world’s fastest growing organizations such as the UFC, he’d probably say you’re crazy.

But that’s exactly what Swanson will be doing when he takes on George Roop at UFC on FOX 2 on Saturday, Jan. 28th.

UFC on FOX 2 will take place at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois beginning at 5 p.m. PT and 8 p.m. ET.

In a recent interview with Bleacher Report’s Garrett Derr, Swanson discussed how his unexpected journey led him to a career inside the Octagon.

“I always thought I would make it as a professional athlete but I thought it would be playing soccer,” said Swanson. “I decided to pursue MMA after training Brazilian jiu-jitsu for about a year and seeing my first fight. I told myself, that looks scary but I think I could do that.”

“So, I started training MMA and those around me started telling me I had potential. I started to think I could maybe make it a career, but it wasn’t a popular sport at the time. I knew the sport would be huge someday and I figured I could make it big right as the sport got big,” stated Swanson.

At first glance, Swanson’s track record has caused many to mistake him for just another average fighter.

However, Swanson has fallen to the jaws of defeat to some of the greatest martial artists of all time in Jose Aldo, Chad Mendes and Jens Pulver.

Swanson’s stiff competition has come to prove that Zuffa has a great deal of confidence in his talents and ability.

“I believe the UFC knows I’m capable of fighting the top guys and that I’m willing to take them all on. There aren’t any easy fights in Zuffa,” said Swanson. “It’s the greatest fighters in world trying to see who’s the best of the best.”

While Swanson’s No. 1 priority is to have his hand raised, he feel he owes the fans an exciting fight in the process.

“I’ve always believed that fighters owe the fans a show. I’m a fighter and my job is to beat the man in front of me, but, I want to do it in a way that is memorable to people,” stated Swanson.

“Cub” will have the opportunity to give the fans what they desire when he meets Roop in a featherweight showdown in front of a sold out United Center.

Swanson recognizes Roop as a serious contender in the 145-pound weight division as he’s coming off an impressive performance against Hatsu Hioki at UFC 137.

However, Swanson feels he has what it takes to get his first Octagon victory when the two meet in a few short days.

“George did great in that fight and I thought he won, but that was a completely different fight than what ours will be like,” said Swanson. “Obviously his reach will be a factor in this fight but I’m not overly concerned.”

“I really love this matchup because Roop is always game to brawl and that gets me fired up for this fight. I’m the more complete fighter and I have the tools to shut him down,” stated Swanson.

Swanson’s main goal for his FOX debut is simple.

“I really want to show the fans that he isn’t on my level and that I’m a much better fighter,” said Swanson. “I just really want to smash this kid.”

Over the course of his career, for some reason or another, Swanson has developed a somewhat “mean” personality or is at least portrayed that way.

But that isn’t who Swanson is at all, as looks can be deceiving.

“I think fans see me fight and think I’m a very mean and intense person but in reality I’m very shy, quite and laid back.”

“I want all the fans to know that this is not just a job but it’s my life. I have sacrificed so much to be here in the UFC and all I want is to entertain them,” stated Swanson.

At just 28 years of age, Swanson clearly has much more to offer to the sport of MMA and feels that he is just getting started.

As time progresses, Swanson is determined to make every moment count as he knows in a blink of an eye it could all be over.

“I want people to remember me as being an exciting fighter and that I fight my heart out every time I’m out there,” stated Swanson. “For myself I want to retire knowing I reached my full potential as a martial artist, so that I can move on to my next chapter in life.”

Swanson concluded by stating,

“I don’t want to ever wonder if I could’ve done more.”

For additional information, follow Garrett Derr on Twitter.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Shane Roller Talks Family, UFC on FOX, and More

In the very first fight of his mixed martial arts career, Shane Roller fell to defeat as he was knocked out in the second round of action by Jake Pruitt.With every opportunity to walk away from the sport, Roller chose to push on as he knew he was desti…

In the very first fight of his mixed martial arts career, Shane Roller fell to defeat as he was knocked out in the second round of action by Jake Pruitt.

With every opportunity to walk away from the sport, Roller chose to push on as he knew he was destined for great things.

Being able to fight for the Ultimate Fighting Championship was a long-term goal for Roller but knew he’d have to commit his life to the sport in order to make his dream come true.

After years of blood, sweat and tears, Roller’s dream became a reality as he found himself entering the Octagon to take on Thiago Tavares for his UFC debut.

Roller continues to fight for the UFC and has established himself as one of more dangerous fighters in the UFC’s lightweight division.

In a recent interview with Bleacher Report’s Garrett Derr, Roller shared his decision to commit his life to MMA and how it’s changed his life for the better.

“Fighting in the UFC was always my goal and where I wanted to be from the first time I fought. I was helping coach wrestling and I was building some houses on the side,” stated Roller. “At that point, I already had two kids and a family.”

“I was always watching the Ultimate Fighter show and the pay-per-view events with my wrestling buddies. I knew from that moment that it was something I could do. I had already started a family and it was a big deal to stop where I was at and start fighting. My wife looked at me like I was crazy when I said I wanted to start fighting,” said Roller.

After receiving the green light from his wife, Roller was on the beginning stages of achieving his once out-of-reach dreams.

It wasn’t long until Roller found his first home as he received word that UFC’s Johny Hendricks had signed with “Team Takedown.”

“I received word that ‘Team Takedown’ had just signed Johny Hendricks. So, I called them up and asked if they were looking for a lightweight fighter,” said Roller. “Ive been with them ever since.”

Roller’s immediate success led him to his Octagon debut where he met Tavares at UFC Live: Sanchez vs. Kampmann.

Just a minute and 28 seconds into Round 2, Roller finished off Tavares, ultimately earning himself “Knockout of the Night” honors.

Roller is now slated to take on Michael Johnson in a 155-pound clash at UFC on FOX 2.

“I really like this matchup. Heading into any fight I’m confident with my matchup. I’m one of those guys who can hang with anyone and even the top of the 155-pound division,” stated Roller. “I’m really looking forward to this fight.”

With the utmost respect to Johnson, Roller believes he is head and shoulders above his opponent and holds few disadvantages heading into their highly anticipated bout.

“I really don’t see any disadvantages in my matchup against Michael. Some believe I may be at a slight disadvantage for taking the fight on such short notice. But, I personally think there are some positives about it. My body feels great. I wouldn’t have taken the fight if I wasn’t 100 percent,” stated Roller.

It may have been only 24 days notice but we train year round here at ‘Team Takedown’,” said Roller. “I couldn’t turn down this opportunity so I chose to take it.”

While Roller is busy finalizing last minute preparations for Johnson, his fellow lightweights, Frankie Edgar and Benson Henderson, are preparing for their main event bout which will take place in a month from now when the UFC travels to Japan for UFC 144.

Roller weighed in on how he thought the championship bout would unfold,

“Henderson looked really tough in his last fight against Guida and he’s a good athlete. But I really thought Maynard was going to beat Edgar because of his size,” said Roller. “Maynard was a lot bigger and I thought that would play a deciding factor.”

“He proved me wrong so I can’t choose Benson over Edgar. I think it’s going to be a tough matchup though. I’m not sure 100 percent who I think is going to win but it will be one to remember,” stated Roller.

While Roller has gone through his fair share of peaks and valleys over the course of his career, he’s beyond thankful for his family who supported his decision to chase after his dreams.

“My family has always been there to support me no matter what. They’ve been there for the ups and the downs. My last loss was the first time I lost two consecutive fights in my career,” stated Roller. “I needed my family more than anything and they were there.”

For additional information, follow Garrett Derr on Twitter.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Chael Sonnen: ‘Anderson Silva and I Will Never Cross Paths Again’

After spending months training for fellow middleweight wrestler Mark Munoz, Chael Sonnen received word that his recent training efforts would now have to be used against Michael Bisping.Munoz endured an injury during training preparations leading up to…

After spending months training for fellow middleweight wrestler Mark Munoz, Chael Sonnen received word that his recent training efforts would now have to be used against Michael Bisping.

Munoz endured an injury during training preparations leading up to his co-main event bout with Sonnen, which could have ultimately earned him the No .1 contender’s spot against Anderson Silva at some point in 2012.

Sonnen will now have to get through Bisping in order to earn himself his much-desired rematch with Silva when he takes the center stage at UFC on FOX 2.

UFC on FOX 2 will take place at the United Center in Chicago on Jan. 28 beginning at 5 p.m. PT/8 p.m. ET.

With the last-minute change in opponents, many feel Sonnen may be at a slight disadvantage heading into his bout. However, Sonnen appears to have little concern as his main focus is on retrieving the title that slipped away from him after four dominating rounds at UFC 117.

In a recent UFC media call with Bleacher Report’s Garrett Derr, Sonnen discussed his opponent change and his potential rematch with Silva.

“I come from a wrestling background so I never know who’s going to show up,” Sonnen said. “My dad and I would wake up early on Saturday mornings and we’d jump in the car and drive all over the country for a wrestling tournament.”

He continued: “Once you got to the tournament you don’t know who’s going to show up. Once you do find out who’s going to show up, you don’t know who’s going to win. The way the bracket is, you have no idea how its going to be. You win your match and he wins his match, you’re fighting him 20 minutes later.”

While high school wrestling certainly isn’t on the level of mixed martial arts, Sonnen will apply the same principals when he enters the Octagon to take on Bisping in just a few short days.

“As far as a fight goes, this game is simple man. You fight three times a year. That’s about the easiest thing. It’s about the easiest demand you can put on a guy,” Sonnen said. “Mike is a totally different fighter, he’s a great fighter.

“As far as opponent changes, who cares. There could still be an opponent change. Something could happen to me, something could happen to Mike. The show must go on.”

A win over Bisping would be Sonnen’s fifth win in his last six outings and enough to earn himself a rematch against the man he despises of greatly in Silva.

But Sonnen isn’t getting his hopes up as he believes the biggest rematch in UFC history may not even occur.

“I can guarantee you Anderson Silva and I will never cross paths again. Our business is done. We will not fight under any circumstances no matter how many rules or fake restraints he puts on it,” Sonnen said. “He’s not getting in the Octagon with me, ever.”

When asked if Silva would retire, Sonnen said, “I don’t know if he’s going to retire or if they’re going to retire him. I think the plan was if I could get past Munoz and Mike was successful against Demian [Maia] then they were going to do an interim championship, between Bisping and I.”

Not only is Sonnen certain that Silva will never fight in the UFC again but he thinks the UFC also believes this to be true.

“I know Anderson is not going to fight, the folks at the UFC know he’s not going to fight. I’m all for promoting and marketing and all that good stuff,” Sonnen said. “I don’t want to throw water on a perfectly hot flame but Anderson Silva isn’t going to fight anyone.”

Stay tuned for the most recent up-to-date news regarding Chael Sonnen and UFC on FOX 2

For additional information, follow Garrett Derr on Twitter.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

UFC on FOX 2: Info, Predictions for Every Fight

On Saturday, Jan. 28 the Ultimate Fighting Championship will look to increase its fan base when it airs its second event on the FOX Network.UFC on FOX 2 will air live from the United Center in Chicago beginning at 5 p.m. PT/8 p.m. ET.The main card wil…

On Saturday, Jan. 28 the Ultimate Fighting Championship will look to increase its fan base when it airs its second event on the FOX Network.

UFC on FOX 2 will air live from the United Center in Chicago beginning at 5 p.m. PT/8 p.m. ET.

The main card will be headlined around two of the UFC’s best wrestlers in former UFC light heavyweight champion Rashad Evans and up-and-coming grappler Phil Davis.

Also featured on the main card is Chael Sonnen, who will square off with Michael Bisping for another shot at UFC gold.

In total, the fight card consists of three main card fights and eight preliminary bouts.

The following slides display info and predictions for every fight at UFC on FOX 2.

Let’s take a look.

Begin Slideshow

UFC on FOX 2: Info, Predictions for Every Fight

On Saturday, Jan. 28 the Ultimate Fighting Championship will look to increase its fan base when it airs its second event on the FOX Network.

UFC on FOX 2 will air live from the United Center in Chicago beginning at 5 p.m. PT/8 p.m. ET.

The main card will be headlined around two of the UFC’s best wrestlers in former UFC light heavyweight champion Rashad Evans and up-and-coming grappler Phil Davis.

Also featured on the main card is Chael Sonnen, who will square off with Michael Bisping for another shot at UFC gold.

In total, the fight card consists of three main card fights and eight preliminary bouts.

The following slides display info and predictions for every fight at UFC on FOX 2.

Let’s take a look.

Begin Slideshow

UFC’s Jared Papazian Ready to Make Noise in His Octagon Debut

In today’s day and age, the UFC is often defined by its superstars, those who standout amongst the average, ordinary fighters due to their spectacular skill set, fan-drawing appearance, or one-of-a-kind personality.However, as the years progress, we ar…

However, as the years progress, we are rapidly approaching the next generation of fighters as the Georges St-Pierre’s and Anderson Silva‘s of the world will quickly come to pass.

In result, we are in dire need of a future filled with superstars that will ultimately allow the organization to maintain its popularity.

Enter 135-pound martial artist Jared Papazian (14-6).

Papazian is likely the last name that comes to mind when pondering the future of the bantamweight division.

But not so fast.

At just 23 years of age, Papazian will make his Octagon debut when he takes on Mike Easton (11-1) at UFC on FX on Friday, Jan. 20.

Papazian’s career path hasn’t always been smooth sailing as he began his career with a lackluster 4-4 record. It wasn’t until the early stages of 2010 when Papazian’s career hit the ground running.

“The Jackhammer” then won eight of nine bouts, including three knockouts and five decisions, on his way to signing a contract with the UFC.

Papazian will enter the Octagon in the best condition of his life when he takes on Easton, whose strength lies in the knockout.

However, Papazian has never been knocked out in his career and has the conditioning to outlast his opponent in any three-round fight. Papazian’s well-rounded skill set has all the ingredients for a stellar victory over Easton in his UFC debut.

Whether Papazian chooses to remain in the bantamweight division or make the transition to 125 pounds, he’ll be a legitimate contender in the UFC for years to come.

To learn more about Jared Papazian, follow him on Twitter.

For additional information, follow Garrett Derr on Twitter.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com