One of Cub’s best attributes is his speed, something he believes has improved since his last fight. As a result, his punches have become even more powerful, Swanson even recalling an instance while hitting pads where he hurt his own hand landing from the force of one of his punches. The power has since translated to his grappling, as well.
“All my training partners said that in my grappling exchanges and wrestling that I felt just as strong,” Swanson said. “There were weeks where I was making descents where I didn’t feel great, and I would make a transition in my eating; I’d start having three meals a day for a little while and I would maintain that weight until my strength would come back and my body would know that this is the new normal and we’re okay here.”
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Approaching the end of his career, it’s safe to ask, why now? Why make all these changes that affect nearly every choice he makes, when he may only be competing a couple more years? That answer is a simple one. Cub Swanson is as game as they come, and if mixed martial arts wasn’t a challenge, it wouldn’t be fun.
“At the end of the day, I really felt like I needed to suffer a little bit more,” Swanson said. “I felt guilty getting into fight week and not suffering. I was spending time with my kids, training, and I had mastered it. But for me to be comfortable retiring down the road here shortly, I wanted to know that I gave it my all, and I needed to suffer more and give a little more to this sport.”
