Cub Swanson will meet Dustin Poirier in the co-main event of UFC on Fuel 7, and there’s a wealth to be gained for the man capable of claiming victory. A win for either man launches him much deeper into title contention, but Swanson has a measure …
Cub Swanson will meet Dustin Poirier in the co-main event of UFC on Fuel 7, and there’s a wealth to be gained for the man capable of claiming victory. A win for either man launches him much deeper into title contention, but Swanson has a measure of momentum behind him that Poirier currently lacks.
“The Diamond,” who had amassed four consecutive wins inside the UFC’s Octagon, tasted defeat two fights ago when he ran into top contender Chan Sung Jung. He’s since picked up a submission stoppage of former The Ultimate Fighter standout Jonathan Brookins, but he lacks the career forward movement that a resurgent Cub Swanson now possesses.
A series of highly ranked contenders have emerged in the featherweight division (the aforementioned Jung, Ricardo Lamas and Chad Mendes included), but Swanson could position himself at the top of the heap should he batter Poirier in impressive fashion at UFC on Fuel 7 this weekend.
What does Swanson need to do to ensure a victory tomorrow night? Really, he only needs to be himself, but I’ll elaborate.
They say fortune favors the bold. It’s a philosophy that UFC featherweight Dustin Poirier embraces because it’s not everyday a top ranked fighter will step up on short notice to fill a slot against another contender, especially in this division without…
They say fortune favors the bold.
It’s a philosophy that UFC featherweight Dustin Poirier embraces because it’s not everyday a top ranked fighter will step up on short notice to fill a slot against another contender, especially in this division without a full training camp to prepare.
That’s exactly what he did however when Dennis Siver suffered an injury ahead of this weekend’s UFC on Fuel 7 card. When Poirier got the call to face knockout artist Cub Swanson he didn’t hesitate to say yes.
Poirier knows that the fast track to a title shot is to step up when the UFC needs you, and beating a contender like Swanson is even better. It was the perfect recipe for success, and Poirier knew just the right ingredients.
“If I get my hand raised against Cub Swanson, there’s no doubt about it that I’m at the top of the division. Maybe a rematch with the (Korean) Zombie (Chan Sung Jung) is in the future, or whatever the UFC has, but I come out on short notice, two wins in a row that would put me at 6-1 in the featherweight division. There’s no denying it,” Poirier told Bleacher Report in an exclusive interview.
Poirier isn’t detached from reality so he knows even with a victory at UFC on Fuel 7, he will likely have to take another fight later this year. That’s because the next featherweight title fight is already set and it doesn’t happen until August.
Former lightweight contender Anthony Pettis will drop down to 145 pounds and face champion Jose Aldo in a big matchup later this year. There was some backlash from the contenders already fighting at featherweight that complained about a fighter who had never even tested the weight class getting a title shot on day one.
Don’t count Poirier among those detractors.
“It really doesn’t bother me. I know I’m sure a lot of guys are pissed off in the division, but I’m going to get my chance, I’m going to get my crack at the belt when the time’s right. Anthony Pettis is a great fighter, he’s on a great run, if he can make the weight make that super fight happen,” said Poirier.
“Maybe down the line I’ll switch weight classes and get a big fight, hopefully. It doesn’t bother me.”
To get closer to his own shot at the belt, Poirier first has to stop a charging bull named Cub Swanson, who has been on an absolute tear of late. He’s stormed through his last three opponents, stopping all of them by knockout or TKO, and it’s resulted in Swanson’s name being mentioned as a title contender in 2013.
But that kind of momentum can backfire, according to Poirier, who says it’s nice to be on a run like that but sometimes overconfidence can easily be your downfall.
“Guys who get on a big streak like that let it get to their head or kind of start looking at everything they’re doing right and stop thinking about what they’re doing wrong sometimes. It’s good for fighters, but it can also be bad depending on the type of fighter,” Poirier stated.
Poirier is taking nothing away from Swanson though because he’s aware just how dangerous the UFC and WEC veteran can be. Underestimating him would be a big mistake, one he doesn’t intend to make.
“He’s finishing guys, I see maybe a little more confidence in his hands, he’s letting his hands go and he’s always had that style where he throws a lot of punches and kicks, good footwork, good boxing, he’s always done that. Maybe he’s just really been in a zone these last couple of fights. He’s looked awesome, he’s looked real good,” said Poirier.
With a co-main event slot on the UFC on Fuel 7 card, Poirier is happy to have the entire world watching and he plans on showcasing why he believes the winner of this fight deserves to be sitting alone at the top of the contender’s race.
“The winner of this fight is definitely out there at the top,” said Poirier.
He will certainly get his chance to prove that on Saturday in England.
Damon Martin is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report and all quotes were obtained first hand unless otherwise noted.
I started this series at the beginning of the year based on the idea of taking things back to a place where most people readily identify learning about fighting or how to throw hands themselves: high school.Granted, there are some who are from tougher …
I started this series at the beginning of the year based on the idea of taking things back to a place where most people readily identify learning about fighting or how to throw hands themselves: high school.
Granted, there are some who are from tougher parts of the world that were introduced to the ruckus at a much earlier age, but in a broad stroke effort to include everyone, I went with high school as a common ground.
When we watch fights—including high-caliber athletes doing their job inside of a cage—it draws a connection to what we know in our individual lives. Debates over who beats whom and which fighter would come out on top are hypothetical questions we’ve dealt with since our educational days. Maybe it’s an Alpha-male thing. Maybe it’s not.
The first segment revolved around two people who genuinely seemed to dislike each other, and the tension built until finally they settled their differences with fisticuffs. In the case of Anthony Pettis versus Donald Cerrone, it was a brutal liver kick which sealed the deal in Chicago at UFC on Fox 6, and the chatter as to who was the badder man was ultimately determined, with Pettis coming away the decisive winner.
This installment deals with a different type of scrap.
To my knowledge there is no personal contempt building between Cub Swanson and Dustin Poirier. Other than the fact they are going to throw down this weekend in London, both appear to have a healthy respect for one another, at least in the realm of public media.
That being said, the idea of two of the UFC’s top featherweights getting down to business draws back to a different time. One where you sat around with your friends and wondered what would happen if the toughest guy from your school locked up with the kid from across town who has built a reputation for settling fools.
Again, maybe I’m alone in these thoughts, but I don’t think that is the case. I believe what attracts us to great fights is watching two participants with reputation and potential, figuring out who is the better man in a flurry of punches, elbows, and knees. Both Swanson and Poirier have a proven track record of getting right to it when the cage door closes and their dust-up this weekend in London has the potential to be one of the year’s best.
Swanson Transforms into Killer Cub
Being the longest tenured featherweight on the WEC/UFC roster has allowed us to watch the evolution of Cub Swanson. It is a journey that has come with highs and lows, as the Palm Springs native has battled to deliver on the potential and expectation set before him.
Over the past five years, the 29-year-old has struggled to gain steady traction in the featherweight ranks but his run in 2012 changed that picture dynamically. With knockout victories over George Roop, Ross Pearson, and Charles Oliveira, the Jackson’s/Winkeljohn’s-trained fighter made a serious statement to the rest of the featherweight division.
It is cliche to say things are finally firing on all cylinders for Swanson but that doesn’t make it any less true. The proud Southern Californian is operating at a new level of confidence inside the Octagon and this makes him extremely dangerous to the opposition. Swanson has always possessed power and accuracy in his stand up game, but with an elevated confidence and a love for the scrap, he is opening up his skill set and showcasing his talent on a different level.
For a kid who constantly found himself in trouble as a youth, fighting is second nature to Swanson. In a past interview with Bleacher Report, Swanson described the difficulties of coming from home schooling and trying to fit into the hectic realm of the public system. The result was a kid who was determined to prove he was tougher than the meanest kid in your crew. While hardships are a difficult thing to celebrate, the process has made Swanson a fighter through and through.
From the Bayou to the Big Stage, Poirier Ready to Shine
Dustin Poirier knows what it is like to carry the weight of potential into the cage. Since his days on the regional MMA scene in Louisiana (captured on the Fightville documentary) to his battles on the sport’s biggest stage, “The Diamond” has shown the type of heart and skill that has him on the cusp of being one of the next big things in MMA.
There have been setbacks along the way, but every time Poirier is forced back, he pushes forward with tremendous determination. The 24-year-old lost to Danny Castillo in his WEC debut back in 2010 then went on to claim victory in his next five outings, two of which came under the UFC banner.
Poirier‘s success put him on the doorstep of a potential title shot but after suffering a submission defeat to Chan Sung Jung at UFC on Fuel TV 3, the possibility of being shuffled back into the deck came front and center.
Determined not to let that happen, Poirier bounced back and earned an impressive first-round submission victory over former TUF winner Jonathan Brookins in December. The victory re-energized Poirier‘s run, and when Dennis Siver pulled out of his scheduled bout with Swanson due to injury, the American Top Team fighter saw the perfect opportunity and stepped up.
While Swanson may be heralded for his knockout power, Poirier has a diverse skill set of his own. The Louisiana-native has displayed a slick submission game in past outings and blended with his striking skills, is one of the most well-rounded fighters currently competing at 145 pounds.
There is also no lack of heart where Poirier is concerned. He possesses a natural toughness that is difficult to find in most competitors and that very attribute will certainly be tested against Swanson.
Title Shot: Someone Has to Go
The idea of watching Swanson and Poirier battle it out in London is exciting enough by itself, but when you include the heated race to stay in title contention in the 145-pound ranks, the matchup becomes much more intense.
With Anthony Pettis dropping down to face Jose Aldo in August, the avenues leading to a title shot are narrowing. Contenders Chad Mendes and Ricardo Lamas are both slated to return to action in the coming months, which makes this bout all the more important. The winner will stay in the conversation of title contention and the loser will find himself on the outside looking in for the time being.
The stakes are high going into Saturday’s showdown at Wembley Arena. When you have two fighters with tremendous killer instincts and a hunger for UFC gold locking up, the result should be nothing short of explosive.
UFC on Fuel 7: Barao vs. McDonald is going to be a fun card. The 12-fight card will deliver action from the first fight all the way to the main event.The main event of the evening features a spectacular bantamweight clash. UFC Interim Bantamweight Cham…
UFC on Fuel 7: Barao vs. McDonald is going to be a fun card. The 12-fight card will deliver action from the first fight all the way to the main event.
The main event of the evening features a spectacular bantamweight clash. UFC Interim Bantamweight Champion Renan Barao defends the gold against Michael McDonald. The winner will likely get to welcome champion Dominick Cruz back to the Octagon later this year.
There will be fights in seven different divisions. From flyweights to light heavyweights. Prospects and veterans alike stack this card.
This is how each fight stacks up to one another heading into Saturday’s exciting card.
We wouldn’t expect a FUEL card in London to be “stacked” in the traditional sense. But although this coming Saturday’s UFC on FUEL 7: Barao vs. McDonald event is low on star-power, it’s actually loaded with great matchups. Here’s why these fights are worth paying attention to…
1. The main card is a hot mess of blue-chip prospects.
Even more so than UFC on FUEL 7’s headliners, I’m excited to see the return of three guys who looked like juggernauts in their UFC debuts. First, we’ve got our old palRyan Jimmo, who entered the Octagon on a 16-fight win streak at UFC 149 and proceeded to sleep Anthony Perosh in just seven seconds, then gave fans their money’s worth by busting out a celebratory robot. Can he possibly repeat that performance this weekend against James Te-Huna?
Also in the light-heavyweight division, 12-0 Nigerian-English mauler Jimi Manuwa — who has never been to the third round in his entire career, by the way — will face Cyrille Diabaté, five months after Manuwa whipped Kyle Kingsbury to a doctor’s stoppage TKO after ten minutes of action. And finally, Icelandic grappling master Gunnar Nelson will follow up his swift choke-out of Damarques Johnson with a fight against Jorge Santiago, in a welterweight bout that will probably go very badly for Santiago.
The prelims also feature a few more guys who almost fit in the same “hot-prospect” category, including Stanislav Nedkov — who’s still technically undefeated after his loss to Thiago Silva was overturned in November — and Paul Sass, the submission wiz who took the first loss of his career against Matt Wiman in September.
2. Michael McDonald could become the youngest UFC champion ever* — and by a fairly wide margin.
We wouldn’t expect a FUEL card in London to be “stacked” in the traditional sense. But although this coming Saturday’s UFC on FUEL 7: Barao vs. McDonald event is low on star-power, it’s actually loaded with great matchups. Here’s why these fights are worth paying attention to…
1. The main card is a hot mess of blue-chip prospects.
Even more so than UFC on FUEL 7′s headliners, I’m excited to see the return of three guys who looked like juggernauts in their UFC debuts. First, we’ve got our old palRyan Jimmo, who entered the Octagon on a 16-fight win streak at UFC 149 and proceeded to sleep Anthony Perosh in just seven seconds, then gave fans their money’s worth by busting out a celebratory robot. Can he possibly repeat that performance this weekend against James Te-Huna?
Also in the light-heavyweight division, 12-0 Nigerian-English mauler Jimi Manuwa — who has never been to the third round in his entire career, by the way — will face Cyrille Diabaté, five months after Manuwa whipped Kyle Kingsbury to a doctor’s stoppage TKO after ten minutes of action. And finally, Icelandic grappling master Gunnar Nelson will follow up his swift choke-out of Damarques Johnson with a fight against Jorge Santiago, in a welterweight bout that will probably go very badly for Santiago.
The prelims also feature a few more guys who almost fit in the same “hot-prospect” category, including Stanislav Nedkov — who’s still technically undefeated after his loss to Thiago Silva was overturned in November — and Paul Sass, the submission wiz who took the first loss of his career against Matt Wiman in September.
2. Michael McDonald could become the youngest UFC champion ever* — and by a fairly wide margin.
When Jon Jones TKO’d Mauricio Rua to win the UFC light-heavyweight title at UFC 128, he was 23 years and nine months old. If Michael McDonald defeats Renan Barao for the interim bantamweight title in the UFC on FUEL 7 headliner, he’ll become a UFC champion at just 22 years and one month old. And make no mistake — “Mayday” McDonald has legitimately paid his dues for the opportunity. McDonald began competing professionally at the age of 16, and his current eight-fight win streak dates back to October 2009, when he was smashing everyone in his path as an 18-year-old in Tachi Palace Fights. Now 4-0 in the UFC and coming off first-round knockouts of Alex Soto and Miguel Torres, McDonald is a truly prodigious talent, and could give Barao the toughest test of his own phenomenal career.
3. Will Josh Grispi suffer the most dramatic career-implosion in UFC history?
Okay, this is more of a “reason to be morbidly curious” than a “reason to be completely psyched,” but it’s still worth mentioning. In 2010, Josh Grispi was one of the hottest featherweights on Earth, following an explosive 4-0 run in the WEC where he scored first-round stoppages of Mark Hominick, Micah Miller, Jens Pulver, and LC Davis. Grispi was booked to face Jose Aldo in the UFC’s first-ever featherweight title fight at UFC 125, but Aldo was forced to withdraw due to injury. Instead, Grispi faced newcomer Dustin Poirier in a non-title bout on the card, losing a unanimous decision and his title shot.
Later that year, Grispi took a rebound fight against George Roop, and wound up getting TKO’d in the third round. Finally, a bout against Brazilian journeyman Rani Yahya ended in another loss last August, this time by first-round submission. Now, “The Fluke” is facing TUF Live castmember Andy Ogle, who is officially 0-1 in the UFC. If Grispi manages to lose this one, he’ll almost certainly find himself released from the organization — the final chapter in a stunning reversal-of-fortune for his fight career.
4. Cub Swanson vs. Dustin Poirier is a great f*cking fight.
Like Cowboy vs. Pettis at UFC on FOX 6, this is the one matchup on the card that is virtually guaranteed to produce something spectacular. Swanson is on the hottest run of his career with consecutive knockouts of George Roop, Ross Pearson, and Charles Oliveira — and is usually the first guy that Greg Jackson-defenders point to as evidence that Yoda is not ruining the sport. Meanwhile, Poirier’s last four fights ended in three submission victories and an incredible Fight of Night performance against Chan Sung Jung. Swanson vs. Poirier could end in a swift and savage knockout, or it could turn out to be an unforgettable three-round war, but there’s no way it’ll be boring.
* Yes, I know Vitor Belfort was 19 years old when he won the UFC 12 tournament, so you don’t have to mention it in the comments section.
Cub Swanson is a man on a mission.Following a 2012 campaign where the 29-year-old collected three impressive victories, Swanson is looking to keep his momentum rolling in the new year. The Southern California product will have the opportunity to take h…
Following a 2012 campaign where the 29-year-old collected three impressive victories, Swanson is looking to keep his momentum rolling in the new year. The Southern California product will have the opportunity to take his next step up the divisional ladder when he squares off with Dustin Poirier, who stepped in for an injured Dennis Siver, in the co-main event of UFC on Fuel TV 7 in London, England.
The bout against Poirier comes at a critical time in the 145-pound weight class. Over the past two weeks, contenders Frankie Edgar and Erik Koch had their title hopes turned back, and their losses have put the race to fill out the divisional upper tier in full swing.
Swanson understands the urgency of the moment, and the Jackson/Winkeljohn-trained fighter is looking to make a statement against the Louisiana native.
“Poirier is a well-rounded fighter,” Swanson told Bleacher Report. “I wouldn’t say he’s phenomenal anywhere but the guy is good everywhere. That can be a problem if I’m not well-prepared. With Siver I was expecting a stand-up battle but with Poirier I know he’s going to be looking for a takedown early and mixing up his kicks and punches well. I definitely have to be more aware of all aspects of the fight.
“We are both aggressive fighters who like to work at a high pace. We both fight with a lot of heart and always show up in shape. It could be a quick fight or a long, drawn-out three-round scrap. I’m ready for whatever.
“I’m trying to finish him right away,” Swanson added. “I’m prepared for three rounds of hell and I’m going to keep that pace the entire time. I’m going to try to put him out in the first. I feel that is what I have to do to make a statement.”
As the longest-tenured featherweight on the UFC roster, Swanson has watched the 145-pound weight class steadily develop over the years. That process has accelerated in recent months with several high-profile lightweight fighters dropping down to test the 145-pound waters.
The trend does not appear to be slowing down, as former WEC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis recently stated he was entertaining a possible drop down to featherweight to face Jose Aldo. Swanson appreciates the attention the bigger-named fighters are bringing to his weight class and has zero issues with welcoming them to the weight class.
“I think it is kind of funny because people keep dropping down and the fighters who are coming down are thinking it is going to be an easier road and it’s not,” Swanson said. “This division is a different animal. At the same time, guys dropping down brings more attention to the division and that attention is well-deserved because the featherweight division is exciting. I’m happy to be a part of it. 155 pounds is so stacked and to see some of those big-name guys come down and want to get some…I’m like hell yeah. That only brings more popularity to our division and makes bigger fights for us to take.
“When somebody drops down and takes a fight with me, I take it as they are looking at me like I’m an easy fight. I take it very disrespectfully. But that is my mentality.”
For years Swanson has battled to match his skill set to expectation. That being said, his recent three-fight win streak has indicators pointing to the scales of potential and progress finding a balance. Swanson has earned back-to-back “Knockout of the Night” honors and believes his career is firing on all cylinders. While a title shot is the ultimate goal, Swanson believes everything will work itself out in due time.
“I’m not really thinking about a title shot too much right now,” Swanson said. “If I get the title shot next I would love it, but I have this fight first and I have to perform well. I just want to be mentioned up there with the top names. If I stay on top of my game then I will get my shot. I’m not really concerned about it all too much right now. I’m just going to keep doing what I’m doing.
“All the hard work I’ve put in at the gym is paying off, but experience plays a big role too. I’m training smarter and all of the consecutive wins I’ve put together has me in a place where I feel as if I’m doing things right now. It gives you confidence that you are on the right track. I feel great and I’m ready any opponent. I have myself a tough guy in front of me and I’m excited.”
Make no mistake about it, fighting is in Swanson’s blood. From his days as a troubled youth to re-igniting his career to become one of the top featherweights in the world—Swanson knows the sacrifices it takes to alter the course of one’s journey.
Where fighting used to be Swanson’s physical outlet to vent frustration, it has now become a family affair, as older brother Steve has joined him in the professional ranks. “Killer Cub” believes it will only be a matter of time before his brother is making an impact inside the Octagon.
“My brother Steve [Swanson] is a 125-pound fighter and is 10-0 right now,” Swanson said. “He would make a great addition to the flyweight division and truly deserves to be in the UFC. He has five consecutive first-round finishes, is a heavy-hitter and it won’t be long before people know who he is. I would love to see him fighting inside the Octagon.”
Duane Finley is a Featured Columnist at Bleacher Report. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless noted otherwise.
I started this series at the beginning of the year based on the idea of taking things back to a place where most people readily identify learning about fighting or how to throw hands themselves: high school.
