Cub Swanson and Michael Johnson Aren’t Done Yet
Cub Swanson and Michael Johnson picked up wins at the final UFC event of the year in Tampa.
“Come back with your shield, or on it.” Spartan Quote
Two fighters who are considered older for the sport showed that they can still deliver entertaining performances, with finishes. While Johnson is only 38 and hasn’t hinted at going anywhere yet, Swanson (41) seemed to consider walking away from the sport with his shield rather than on it.
After the fight, every time Swanson was asked he said that he was thinking his match with Billy Quarantillo would be his last. But winning can be addictive and if you can fight as well as he did against someone like Quarantillo, maybe there’s more fight left in him.
“I definitely was going in thinking this might be my last one,” Swanson told Karyn Bryant after the event. He added, “The biggest thing was I wanted to go out there and be free, not live up to anything, and go out there and be a great fighter.”
Swanson is and has been a great fighter.
He moved to 30-14 after his third-round knock-out victory over Quarantillo. It would be a perfect time to walk away as a winner, but Swanson is still unsure of making a retirement announcement. It’s not just the recent victory, his previous bout he lost to Andre Fili by decision still had him feeling like there was fight left in him.
He also said he finds fulfillment in helping other fighters reach their goals which is what he would focus on should he retire.
Dana White said in the post-event press conference he would be fine either way.
Johnson is now on a two-fight win streak and said he wasn’t going anywhere. After his second-round knockout of Ottman Azaitar, Johnson said, “ I’m 38 and I’m not stopping anytime soon!”
Swanson and Quarantillo earned a “Fight of the Night” bonus, and Johnson also received a “Performance of the Night” bonus with his win. Check out all the bonuses here.
