UFC featherweight legend Cub Swanson picked a perfect way to end his career if he decides to hang up the gloves after UFC Tampa.
‘Father Time’ is undefeated – but Cub Swanson gave it a shocking beating in the Octagon in the UFC Tampa co-main event.
Swanson and Billy Quarantillo squared off in a high-octane featherweight bout at UFC Tampa on Saturday night. The matchup lived up to the hype, as Swanson and Quarantillo threw down in one of the best fights of the year.
While Quarantillo had plenty of highlight moments against Swanson, it was the 41-year-old who got the last laugh.
With time ticking down in the potentially decisive third round, Swanson closed the show with a one-punch knockout of Quarantillo that put the Amalie Arena in a frenzy. His walk-off finish reminded fans of the once up-and-coming Swanson who defeated top names like Charles Oliveira and Dustin Poirier.
It was Swanson’s first stoppage victory since knocking out Darren Elkins with a spinning wheel kick in Dec. 2021.
41-year-old Cub Swanson turns back the clock at UFC Tampa
After one of the biggest wins of his career, Swanson seemed non-committal on retirement but hinted he’s slightly leaning towards hanging up the gloves after a pre-fight promise to his wife. Swanson entered the UFC Hall of Fame’s ‘Fight Wing’ for his instant classic against Doo Ho Choi at UFC 206.
Swanson is a potential future addition to the UFC Hall of Fame as an individual induction, due to his numerous accolades over his career. The win over Quarantillo moved Swanson to a professional record of 30-14.
Leading up to UFC Tampa, Swanson hinted that the Quarantillo fight could potentially be his final appearance in the Octagon. After a storybook ending at UFC Tampa, he could opt to walk into the sunset and focus on the next stage of his life.
Cub Swanson undecided on UFC future after storybook finish
After Zuffa purchased WEC, Swanson made his UFC debut in Nov. 2011, losing to Ricardo Lamas by second-round submission. Despite the hiccup in his first UFC appearance, Swanson went on a six-fight win streak and was on the cusp of a potential featherweight title shot.
After wins against the likes of Jeremy Stephens and Dennis Siver, Swanson’s UFC title march ended after a buzzer-beating submission loss to Frankie Edgar in 2014. He’d go on to lose to Max Holloway in his next fight before enjoying another win streak.
Entering UFC Tampa, Swanson was coming off a split decision loss to Andre Fili at UFC 303, a bout that earned ‘Fight of the Night’ honors. His most recent win came against Hakeem Dawodu last year.
If Swanson decides to make UFC Tampa his fighting sendoff, it’s a perfect ending to the UFC fan favorite’s career. Time will tell if he’ll follow through on his pre-fight promises and walk away following his triumphant showing.