Sometimes it takes a couple of featherweights to save a card. After a rather dull event so far, Cub Swanson and Dustin Poirier engaged in one of the best fights of 2013 so far in the co-main event of UFC on Fuel 7. Both men landed big punches and kicks, nice takedowns, and other slick maneuvers. After three rounds of non-stop action, it was Swanson that came out on top. He took the decision with scores of 29-28, 30-27, and 29-28.
Swanson did a good job of establishing his kickboxing early, and stuffed a deep Poirier shot. Poirier was able to start finding a home for his counter shots about halfway through the round. Both men were effectively landing low kicks. Swanson landed a big uppercut that rocked Poirier, then a high kick. Poirier quickly got a takedown to take the heat off a bit. Swanson got up at the 10-second marker and they threw down to close out the round.
Both men continued their aggressive striking in round two, with Poirier focusing on leg and body kicks. He hurt Cub briefly with one, but Swanson shook it off quickly. Poirier looked for a takedown against the cage but couldn’t get it. Swanson tagged him in the center of the cage, but Poirier quickly got a nice double leg takedown off a Swanson spinning back fist attempt right after it. Swanson got an omoplata and used it to stand, even with it still locked up. Poirier landed the best shot near the end of the second.
After some cage work, Poirier landed a huge combination that stunned Swanson. Cub came back with a left that staggered Poirier right back though. Swanson got a takedown off a Poirier knee attempt. Swanson managed to take Poirier’s back with hooks. Poirier tried to shake him off but Cub was clued to him. Poirier managed to roll him off, but Swanson continued the roll right into mount. Poirier quickly got up, but ate a big knee on the way up. Swanson hit another beautiful throw and got right back on Poirier’s back. They ended the fight with Poirier trying to jump on Cub in his guard.