UFC featherweight legend Cub Swanson has chosen a perfect way to end his career when he decides to hang up the gloves after UFC Tampa.
'Father Time' is undefeated, but Cub Swanson gave him a shocking beating inside the Octagon during the UFC Tampa co-main event.
Swanson and Billy Quarantillo faced off in a high-octane featherweight bout at UFC Tampa on Saturday night. The matchup lived up to the hype, as Swanson and Quarantillo won one of the best fights of the year.
While Quarantillo had plenty of highlights against Swanson, it was the 41-year-old who had the last laugh.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
With time ticking down in the potentially decisive third round, Swanson closed the show with a one-punch knockout of Quarantillo that sent the Amalie Arena into a frenzy. His walk-off finish reminded fans of the once-rising Swanson who defeated top names like Charles Oliveira and Dustin Poirier.
It was Swanson's first win since knocking out Darren Elkins with a spinning kick in December 2021.
41-year-old Cub Swanson turns back the clock at UFC Tampa
After one of the biggest wins of his career, Swanson appeared to retire without commitment, but hinted he's slightly leaning toward hanging up the gloves after a pre-fight promise to his wife. Swanson was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame's 'Fight Wing' for his instant classic against Doo Ho Choi at UFC 206.
Swanson is a potential future addition to the UFC Hall of Fame as an individual induction due to his numerous accolades throughout his career. The win over Quarantillo moved Swanson to a professional record of 30-14.
Ahead of UFC Tampa, Swanson hinted that the Quarantillo fight could potentially be his final appearance in the Octagon. After a storybook ending at UFC Tampa, he was able to choose to walk into the sunset and focus on the next phase of his life.
Cub Swanson won't decide the future of the UFC after the storybook ending
After Zuffa purchased WEC, Swanson made his UFC debut in November 2011, losing to Ricardo Lamas in the second round. Despite the hiccups in his first UFC appearance, Swanson went on a six-fight win streak and was on the cusp of a potential featherweight title shot.
After wins against the likes of Jeremy Stephens and Dennis Siver, Swanson's UFC title run ended after an upset loss to Frankie Edgar in 2014. He would lose to Max Holloway in his next fight before enjoying another win streak.
Entering UFC Tampa, Swanson was coming off a split-decision loss to Andre Fili at UFC 303, a fight that earned 'Fight of the Night' honors. His most recent win was against Hakeem Dawodu last year.
If Swanson decides to make UFC Tampa his fight broadcast, it will be a perfect ending to the UFC fan favorite's career. Only time will tell if he will keep his pre-fight promises and walk away after his triumphant performance.
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