- Cub Swanson opened up about his decision win over Hakeem Dawodu at UFC Vegas 78
- “Killer” admittedly thought the decision was going the other way
Aging UFC stalwart Cub Swanson managed to secure what appeared to be a questionable decision win over Hakeem Dawodu at UFC Vegas 78. After the fight, “Killer” admitted that he is not too confident about his win and would watch the fight again to see how it really played out.
Cub wasn’t convinced
Speaking to reporters during his post-fight presser, Swanson said he didn’t think he won the first round but he was constantly told he won and even got two over three.
“I did [think it was going the other way]. I’m always hard on myself. I didn’t think I won the first round. Everyone in my corner said I did, and that it was an easy one to call. I thought that he picked up some steam in the second, but I know I hurt him at the end of the second. So in my mind, I was down two rounds, and I was like, ‘I need to push the pace.’ He was powerful, and it was taking a toll on me, but I knew my conditioning was good, so I was just trying to stay in his face. But I was mostly just mad about myself for not being a bit more active. It was a chess match in there. It was a difficult one, but I gotta watch it again. It sounds like everybody thought I at least won two rounds, so it’s cool,” Swanson explained.
An underrated technical striker
Swanson also pointed out that he has been overlooked as a “crafty” striker as most people view him as just a “brawler.” However, “Killer” said he always knew he was at his best whenever he is having fun inside the cage and that’s exactly what he did against Dawodu.
“I’m at my best when I’m out there having fun and when guys kind of sit there and they think they’re going to counter strike with me, it kind of plays in my favor because I’m a little bit craftier and faster than they give me credit for sometimes. I think my whole career I’ve been a little underestimated as far as like my technique because I people would say I’m more of a brawler I think but I’m crafty and so, if I can get my face gone and then show some speed, they’ll kind of sit there and watch and try to counter me and it just usually works out in my favor,” the 39-year-old stated.
“I’m close to the end. I’m just having fun at this point,” he added. “That was my goal: to have some fun tonight. I’ve been fortunate to make some good money and make some investments, and I’m just trying to make sure my family is taken care of.”
Swanson has gone inconsistent in his recent fights as he was coming off a TKO loss to Jonathan Martinez and a TKO win over Darren Elkins in the fight prior. It is yet to be known what lies ahead of “Killer” as the only thing certain at this point is a nearing retirement.
