This past weekend, in the main event of the UFC’s anticipated debut in Fresno, long-time featherweight contender Cub Swanson stepped into the cage with surging candidate Brian Ortega.
Swanson fought the last fight on his current UFC contract this past Saturday (Dec. 9, 2017), and his successful run came to a halt when he lost the bout via second-round submission to Ortega.
Swanson Speaking after the fight said he expects to negotiate with the UFC but repeatedly suggested that he planned to test his value as a free agent.
“It stings,” Swanson told MMAjunkie. “It just gets thrown back in your face, ‘You don’t win the big ones.’ So, it’s like, what am I going to say? I’m sure we’ll negotiate. Dana said ‘let’s make a deal’ from outside the cage. But do I got to crawl back and say, ‘OK, I’ll take that deal I said no to.’
“We’ll see,” he continued. “I’m going to enjoy family over Christmas and all that and try not to be in low spirits. I thought I fought great. I just didn’t get the ending I wanted.”
Dana While it’s clear that Swanson is not particularly optimistic about the current state of his career. White is hoping that Swanson remains with the promotion, and he’s aiming to make the veteran ‘happy’ with a new deal.
“I yelled up to him, ‘Let’s get a deal done,’” White said. “Cub’s been around forever. He’s a great kid, and I like him, and hopefully, we can get something done with him, and I can keep him happy. I want him to be happy.”
If he does re-sign the deal, what do you think he should fight next?
