Cub Swanson Feels He Is Ready To Take The Featherweight Title

Cub Swanson has been on a tear in the UFC Featherweight division since signing for the promotion back in 2011; after an unsuccessful debut against Ricardo Lamas, ‘Beautiful Destruction’ has beaten George Roop, Ross pearson, Charles Oliveira, Dustin Poirer and Denis Siver. His exciting style has seen Swanson pick up two KOTN honors and one FOTN while with the UFC.

Swanson has been talking about a title shot for a long time now, and he has a very good argument. Jose Aldo is currently booked to face Ricardo Lamas at UFC 169, and Swanson will likely face the winner of that showdown. Talking with MMAJunkie.com, Swanson discussed his place in the FW rankings:

“For a long time, I never really cared where I fit in the division or the rankings – until now,” he said. “Until right now. I feel like I’m the best in the world. I just need to prove it. I need a chance. And I really don’t feel like anybody out there can stop me. I just feel like it’s my chance and, if you want to call it destiny or whatever you will, I’ve been waiting a long time for something to come along and happen for me. I’m sick of that and I’m ready to just take it.”

Swanson’s first fight with Jose Aldo was a title eliminator bout in the WEC, and Cub lost by TKO when Aldo hit him with a beautifully timed double flying knee. Swanson feels like he didn’t perform to his full abilities that night and that a rematch would be very different.

“I just don’t feel like I performed for the fans that night, that I could have given more. I just feel like at this stage in our careers, I am the better fighter. Sometimes I get bored, so I try these flashy moves, but I know what I’m doing. I’m confident in my abilities”

Whether it is Aldo or Lamas, I fully expect to see Swanson fighting for his first title in the next 12 months. Unbeaten in three years and a very entertaining scrapper, I can’t think of many that deserve a shot more than Swanson right now.