An entertaining brawl between Cub Swanson and Kron Gracie led the pack at UFC Tampa, earning the Fight of the Night in the process.
When the UFC booked Kron Gracie against Cub Swanson at UFC Tampa, they no doubt understood the match-up they were making. Swanson is a showstopper, a fighter who always brings excitement. He was, however, struggling, on the worst slump of his career. Four straight losses. And prone to submission.
The numbers don’t lie. Swanson (26-11) had been submitted seven times heading into the fight with Gracie. As for Kron, well, the last name tells the story. Kron Gracie had won all his fights via submission, and entered the Fight Night event Saturday a perfect 5-0. His previous victim, Alex Caceres, had entered their bout with six submission losses.
Bruce Leeroy couldn’t get the job done. Cub Swanson did, dragging Gracie (5-1) into deep waters in what was at times a sloppy, but fun war. Swanson had the clear edge in the striking department, as expected. But Gracie went the distance, ultimately being handed his first loss.
The scrap took home Fight of the Night honors when all was said and done.
Your @ToyoTires FOTN! @CubSwanson 🆚 @KronGracie | 50k each! #UFCTampa pic.twitter.com/GWQPF6TKdy
— UFC (@ufc) October 13, 2019
Performance of the Night bonuses, meanwhile, went to Niko Price and Marlon Vera. Price (14-3, 1NC) knocked out the towering James Vick (13-5), not with a punch, but with an upkick in the first round. As rare a knockout as you’ll find these days.
Vera (15-5-1), meanwhile, finished Andre Ewell (15-6) in the third round, in a barrage of elbows and punches.
All four men will take home an extra $50,000 in post-fight bonus money.
