Cub Swanson and Kron Gracie went to war in the UFC Tampa co-main event, slugging it out on the feet for 15 minutes with Swanson coming out on top.
Cub Swanson needs a win at UFC Tampa. The veteran fan-favorite has dropped his last four fights and last won in 2017. Kron Gracie is undefeated in his MMA career, having submitted his first five opponents, including Alex Caceres in his UFC debut.
Cub Swanson caught Kron Gracie with a stepping back hook twice as Kron charged in fairly recklessly to close the distance. Swanson was looking great on the feet, mixing up punches and smoothly evading Kron’s advances. Swanson began ripping punches to the body. Gracie struggled to close the distance with any effectiveness as Cub continued to mix up his strikes, piecing up Gracie for five minutes.
Swanson picked up where he left off, working the body of Gracie with heavy hooks. Gracie continued to eat punishment as he walked forward. He attempted to pull guard, but Swanson defended beautifully. While Swanson was absolutely dicing up Gracie on the feet, their clinch exchanges started to become a bit more pronounced later in the round. All Kron will need is one opportunity, but that damage is adding up.
Listen to these body shots 😩#UFCTampa pic.twitter.com/NUSt231KKd
— UFC (@ufc) October 13, 2019
Kron came out swinging in the third round, but Swanson was ready to continue his onslaught. Gracie tried to pull guard, Swanson didn’t follow him, but he ended up eating an upkick. Swanson landed more shots, then resisted another guard pull from Gracie. An upkick landed for Kron and the slugfest resumed. Both men left it all on the line, slugging it out with no regard for defense. With under a minute left, Kron Gracie successfully pulled guard, but couldn’t get a guillotine going. Swanson stood up and they put it all on the line to close out the contest.
What a fight!#UFCTampa pic.twitter.com/l6wGcFkvfb
— UFC (@ufc) October 13, 2019
Cub Swanson def. Kron Gracie by Unanimous Decision (30-27 x3)
