Cub Swanson speaks out on what he feels is the special treatment given for both Conor McGregor and Ronda Rousey.
UFC featherweight contender Cub Swanson has long-standing grievances with the company. The feeling of being made to be a gatekeeper has urged the number four-ranked 145-pounder to no longer renew his UFC contract after his upcoming fight against Brian Ortega this weekend.
Ultimately, Swanson feels he deserves better compensation and bigger matchups, being a top-five contender for a long time now. In a recent interview with Yahoo! Sports’ Kevin Iole, Cub could not help but compare himself to Ronda Rousey and Conor McGregor.
Swanson says he recognizes the fact that both earned their respective superstar statuses, but also believes there was some special treatment involved.
“That’s very fair, but I also think both of them were very pampered,” Swanson said. “You know I’ll take slack for saying that, but it’s very true. I tell young fighters this all the time. Me and Ortega both, we’re just another fighter from California. We’re not from a country that doesn’t have any other fighters and so we don’t have an entire country backing us up. So we’re not an easy sell from a promoter’s perspective.”
“Fighters like that, they get hand-picked opponents their entire career,” He continued. “Guys like me, they’re like, ‘Yeah, he’s winning, but let’s give him tougher and tougher and tougher and tougher guys.’ That’s literally how they book my fights. It’s a lot harder for somebody like me to have an undefeated career than somebody like a Conor or a Ronda.”
Despite these ill feelings, Swanson says he remains focused on the task at hand, as he faces an undefeated and streaking Ortega.
“If I’m making lunch and you ask me what I’m going to have for dinner, I’d say, ‘I have no idea because I’m focused on eating this lunch I’m making right now,’” Swanson said. “That’s literally how I do it. I will focus on the fight and do what I can to be ready for that and the other stuff will play out when it’s time.”
Swanson and Ortega will headline UFC Fight Night 123 on Saturday, December 9th in Fresno, California.