Burgos has been watching Swanson since he was a kid. So though he admits to not “looking up to Swanson,” he is a fan.
“I’m not saying I look up to him, I’m just a fan. I don’t really have any idols like that,” Burgos said.
Fortunately for Burgos this won’t be the first time he’s shared the cage with a fighter he’s a fan of. Burgos said in previous fights he has thought to himself, ‘wow I’m actually fighting this guy right now.’
It’s that experience that leads Burgos to believe Saturday at UFC Ottawa will be no different when he and Cub touch gloves.
“This is not new but it’s definitely ramped up because Cub’s a legend,” Burgos said.
UFC.com sat down with Burgos to talk more about UFC Ottawa, his matchup with Swanson and Game of Thrones.
UFC: There’s a lot of delicious-looking food popping up on your timeline. I’m not even cutting weight and I can barely look at it. How do you handle it during a fight week?
Shane Burgos: My favorite thing in the world is fighting but I hate cutting weight. Food is my biggest passion. I love fighting, family and food so this is super hard.
UFC: Cub has been fighting at the top of division for a long-time, are you a fan of his fights?
SB: He’s been on my radar because I’ve been a fan of him. Since I was 16 years old I’ve been watching him and so to be in that cage with him is an honor. But at the end of the day it’s business and he’s just another man.
UFC: What are some things that Cub does well and what are some areas in the fight that you feel you have the advantage?
SB: He has that controlled chaos where he can go crazy at times but then be super technical. You have to watch out for that because you don’t know what Cub you’re going to get. You have to be ready for both.
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UFC: What would a win over a big name like Cub Swanson do for your career?
SB: It’s going to set me off. Only the best guys in the world have beat Cub Swanson and just because he’s on a three-fight losing streak doesn’t mean I’ll take him lightly at all. If anything it makes him more dangerous, like an animal trapped in the corner.
UFC: We know you’re a big Game of Thrones guy. Are you going to try to get back home after the fight to watch it Sunday?
SB: 100 percent! I’m leaving 10:30am on Sunday so I’ll be ready to go. I have my food spread lined up and me and my wife and baby will be watching it.
