UFC: Cub Swanson admits lightweight move ‘crossed my mind’ after Charles Oliveira, Dustin Poirier success
- ‘Killer’ Cub says it’s ‘been a trip’ to see Poirier and Oliveira at the top of 155-pound division after beating both at featherweight
- Swanson admits self-doubts after 0-4 losing streak, but insists changes are paying off ahead of return against Giga Chikadze
Charles Oliveira and Dustin Poirier are two of the top three-ranked lightweights in the UFC – and “Killer” Cub Swanson has admitted it’s “been a trip” to see their success having beaten both back-to-back at 145 pounds.
Brazilian Oliveira (30-8, one no contest) will fight for the vacant 155-pound title against Michael Chandler (22-5) at UFC 262 next month in Houston, Texas, while No 1-ranked Poirier (27-6, one no contest) will settle a money-spinning trilogy with Conor McGregor (22-5) in July.
Veteran American Swanson (27-11), who returns this weekend against Giga Chikadze (12-2) at UFC Vegas 25, got a decision over Poirier in February 2013, five months after knocking out “Do Bronx” in the first round.
“Yeah, you know, I’m super proud of him [Oliveira],” Swanson told SCMP MMA. “He came out with a bang, with a bunch of submissions, and he was a hot prospect, and then at ’45 [145 pounds] I think the cut was too much for him.
“He wasn’t doing so good, he was kind of hot and cold, and then at ’55 out of nowhere he’s just been killing it. And yeah, it’s been kind of a trip because I got wins over Poirier and Oliveira and they’re at the top of the division at ’55.