“I’m more excited about coaching”…UFC veteran Cub Swanson talks about retiring after insane knockout in 44th fight

Cub Swanson addresses speculation about his retirement after an insane knockout at UFC Tampa

Speaking to Michael Bisping in the octagon after his sensational knockout win at UFC Tampa, Swanson refused to confirm his final exit from the sport.

“Well, I kind of told my wife this would be the last one, so we’ll see,” the popular veteran said as he then addressed the crowd: “I’m kind of an old guy, that’s what I want to say. “ I really appreciate you letting a 40 year old dad come here and entertain you!”

At the post-fight press conference, Swanson explained why he is torn on the matter; Especially since Billy Quarantillo’s finish is the best sendoff you could wish for in the UFC.

“My biggest concern going into this fight was not putting pressure on myself to perform… I tried to be fast and loose, paint a picture and make it beautiful – something I can be proud of. So if it was the last one, then I can say, ‘Man, I’m happy with that’.”

Swanson shared that he will “always be tempted” to have another fight, but that he also has a family and a growing team of athletes to take care of.

“We’ll see how I get well again; I have three small children who are getting a little older now and definitely want my attention more. I have a lot of fighters on my team, Team Bloodline, that I manage and coach and put a lot of effort into.

“At this point, I’m honestly more excited about coaching. I love this sport and the great thing about being on the other side of the cage is that I don’t go home with bumps and bruises.”

Interestingly, although Dana White would say that such a flush KO is “the way to go” when it comes to retirement, he would happily offer Swanson another fight if he so desires.

“That’s the way to go, and the funny thing is he says, ‘I promised my wife this would be the last one, but I don’t know if we’ll see it’… When a fighter wins, like this spectacular like him.” I did it tonight, it’s just so hard for these guys to walk away.

“But to be honest, when Cub says, ‘I promised my wife, I’m going,’ I’m happy for him… When he says, ‘You know what, I definitely got another one.’ in me’, I don’t disagree with him.”

Cub Swanson teases that there is a fight he could stay in

Cub Swanson was and remains a UFC legend – and is one of the few active athletes to have been inducted into the Hall of Fame; for his legendary fight with Doo Ho Choi in 2016.

In fact, when Swanson was asked if a rematch with Choi might tempt him to stay for another fight, “Killer” simply replied, “It’s possible.”

“Even though he looked great in his last fight; This makes me want to sit back and relax a little… I just know the fans would be excited about it, so it would be hard to say no – but we’ll see.”

Choi looked truly sensational in his last fight; a third-round knockout of Nate Landwehr at UFC 310.

“I really don’t have any names,” Swanson continued.

“Like I said, I just took one fight at a time, focused on myself and went out and had great fights… I try not to look too far ahead when it comes to fighting.”

Whether Swanson returns for another fight remains to be seen, but whatever “Killer” decides, he will have the support of the entire MMA community behind him.

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