Cub Swanson explains why he’s fighting out his UFC contract

Not long ago, we learned that fan favorite featherweight contender Cub Swanson planned on entering free agency after his UFC Fresno scrap with Brian Ortega, which marks the last obligation on his current UFC contract.

Speaking to FloCombat this week, Swanson explained why he’s choosing to fight out his current contract.

“I’m speaking out about the situation because it needs to be said,” Swanson said. “Being the squeaky wheel isn’t my thing but that’s how things get done and that’s why I’m talking about it now. I’m a father now and the future has never been more on my mind. I want to make sure I’m taken care of and I have enough money to retire when I hang up the gloves. This will be my twenty-second fight with the company and to think I’m not a multi-millionaire by now is kind of crazy.

“The last thing I want to come off as is ungrateful because I’m extremely grateful for all the opportunities I’ve had. I have a great working relationship with everyone at the UFC. My only problem comes at the top with broken promises. It sucks because those things get thrown back in my face at the negotiation table where they say, ‘You haven’t been a title holder.’ That’s true but I’ve never been given the opportunity and that could have happened several times with what I’ve accomplished in there.

“The promotion makes those decisions and sometimes that gets frustrating,” Swanson continued. “At some point it has to reach a place where if you’re never going to give me the title fight I’ve earned, then pay me like it or just give me the damn title fight.”

Whatever the immediate future holds, Cub Swanson says he still hopes to finish his career in the Octagon.

“I’d absolutely love to finish my career with the UFC,” Swanson said. “I love fighting for this company and I’m happy with almost everything about my time here. Other than the compensation and what has happened with title shots I’ve really enjoyed fighting for and working with the UFC. I’ve done pretty well the past few years but I’m not making retirement money. I’m preparing for my future and that has to start now. 

“If the UFC comes to the table with a good offer I’d love to re-sign with them,” he continued. “It’s been my home for a long time and I’ve been proud to call it that. It’s where I want to finish my career when the time comes to do so, but I have to put myself and my family first in this situation. I’ve missed a lot of things to make this career happen and I’ve always looked at it like an investment. And it’s time that investment starts paying off.”

Where do you think Cub Swanson will end up?

This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 10/10/2017.