Tampa – UFC featherweight Cub Swanson reflected a bit on being the co-main event at UFC Tampa against Billy Quarantillo after 24 fights in the promotion.
Let’s not forget he’s also 41-years-old.
“It’s funny because I never really put too much thought into it. I always would get a little bit upset that I’m never notified that I would be co-main event. If for whatever reason the main event falls through there’s the chance that they’d say ‘hey Cub can this be five rounds?’ That is a completely different training camp,” Swanson said with a smile when talking to reporters on Wednesday.
“Just the thought of doing five rounds is always a little…oh man. It’s a whole other beast. I’m just happy to fight wherever I am on the card. I know guys get mad about it, but at this stage of my career I’m just happy to fight. Whether I’m the first fight of the night, co-main, main, doesn’t matter to me.”
Swanson (29-14) will take on Quarantillo at UFC Tampa. Both men are coming off losses, but for Quarantillo its a chance to fight someone he’s looked up to for a while.
“I kind of expect it because I think I have a fan friendly fighting style. It makes me proud. I got no problem with it. I know he just had a birthday so I’m excited to welcome him into the masters division,” Swanson said with a smile.
“He’s one of the guys like myself. He’s been around for a little while so yeah I’m happy to welcome him into the masters division.”
Most fighters who were in the UFC when Swanson started are long gone, but he remains and continues to put on strong performances. At 41 it’s all about having fun for Cub.
“Just enjoying it. I’d say my main motivation at this point is I have Bloodline, the management company, and I have a whole crew of guys that I mentor. I really try to show them everything, what to do, what not to do, helping them with training,” he said.
“It’s one thing for a coach to say ‘do this, do that’. It’s another thing to show them. They know that I practice what I preach. It’s not just me talking. I’m showing them the way. To me that means a lot.”
Of course the next question is retirement. Father time is undefeated and Swanson knows his time to call it a career will come.
Just not yet.
“I’m close (to retirement). I’m just having fun and I’m still competing with 20-year-olds. I’d say the 45-pound room in my gym is pretty incredible and it keeps me feeling young just being in the room every day with these guys,” he said.
“Having young kids motivates me to stay in shape and want to be youthful. I’m happy to be here. For me to be at this point in my career I’m just enjoying it. This is fun.”
Watch the entire media day scrum with Cub Swanson above. He takes on Billy Quarantillo at UFC Tampa on Saturday night.
