Swanson: MMA matchmaking becoming like boxing

MMALivesHere

Featherweight contender Cub Swanson (18-5) says he fears MMA matchmaking is going the way of boxing. Swanson, who's on a three-fight win streak, is scheduled to fight Dustin Poirier (13-2) at UFC on Fuel 7 in London on February 16. His ultimate goal is a rematch with champion Jose Aldo (22-1), who he thinks deserved the win against former lightweight champion Frankie Edgar (15-4). Anthony Pettis (16-2) is now dropping down a division to face Aldo in August and while the 29-year-old is excited to watch the fight, he told MMA Fighting it's a worrying trend.

"It's an exciting match-up and as a fan I'm excited for it, but as someone who's in the division, you know, it's a little bit like, 'oh, ok, this guy can just come over and get a title shot.' It's a little bit annoying but my time will come, I'm not too stressed about it and if everybody keeps dropping to 145lbs, who knows, maybe I'll move up to 155lbs. I could, I've been walking around like 180lbs, 185lbs, I could if I wanted t0 ... It seems like we're going along that road now that everybody criticised boxing for. For putting the biggest names together and not necessarily the people who earned the shot. We seem to be going down that road."

From www.mmaliveshere.com

classicboxer

MMALivesHere said:

Featherweight contender Cub Swanson (18-5) says he fears MMA matchmaking is going the way of boxing. Swanson, who's on a three-fight win streak, is scheduled to fight Dustin Poirier (13-2) at UFC on Fuel 7 in London on February 16. His ultimate goal is a rematch with champion Jose Aldo (22-1), who he thinks deserved the win against former lightweight champion Frankie Edgar (15-4). Anthony Pettis (16-2) is now dropping down a division to face Aldo in August and while the 29-year-old is excited to watch the fight, he told MMA Fighting it's a worrying trend.

"It's an exciting match-up and as a fan I'm excited for it, but as someone who's in the division, you know, it's a little bit like, 'oh, ok, this guy can just come over and get a title shot.' It's a little bit annoying but my time will come, I'm not too stressed about it and if everybody keeps dropping to 145lbs, who knows, maybe I'll move up to 155lbs. I could, I've been walking around like 180lbs, 185lbs, I could if I wanted t0 ... It seems like we're going along that road now that everybody criticised boxing for. For putting the biggest names together and not necessarily the people who earned the shot. We seem to be going down that road."

From www.mmaliveshere.com

It's always been that way.

PunchBag

swanson hasnt done enough to earn it anyway,

TUF1

Famous last words by Swanson here ^^^ Shouldn't even be thinking about the title. Poirier is a beast and Swanson's in the same boat as Vitor imo. Going to take a few more wins to get a shot at Aldo.

creep_bb

Cub knows what's up.

spartacus_

chill out people, he is not saying he deserves a title shot already, but these undeserved title shots will make his wait longer

SteelerNation43

i do find it funny people act like any of this is new....This has been happening in MMA since day 1.

Junglebird

Marketability > Fighting skill

Luckily marketability comes with fighting skill usually. Unless your style is very boring.

classicboxer

SteelerNation43 said:

i do find it funny people act like any of this is new....This has been happening in MMA since day 1.

That's very true, however the Sonnen title shot vs Jones takes it to a new level.

wanderleisilva101

Cub just needs to focus on winning his fight with Dustin right now if he keeps winning they can't deny him a shot.