Career Timeline of Cub Swanson: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Cub Swanson made an impact.

Cub Swanson is an American professional mixed martial artist, primarily known for competing in the UFC's Featherweight division. Debuting professionally in 2004, he holds the record for the most post-fight bonus awards in UFC Featherweight history, with eleven. Across his UFC and WEC career, Swanson has earned a total of fifteen post-fight honors, marking him as a prominent and exciting fighter within the organizations.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

2003: Began training MMA

In 2003, Cub Swanson began training in mixed martial arts (MMA).

July 25, 2004: First professional MMA fight

On July 25, 2004, Cub Swanson had his first professional MMA fight at Total Combat in Mexico against Shannon Gugerty. Swanson lost via Rear-Naked Choke in just 30 seconds.

2004: Swanson becomes a professional MMA fighter

In 2004, Cub Swanson became a professional mixed martial artist. He competes in the Featherweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) since then.

2006: Rematch with Shannon Gugerty

In 2006, Cub Swanson had a rematch with Shannon Gugerty, as part of the nine fights he won before entering the WEC in 2007.

March 24, 2007: WEC Debut

On March 24, 2007, Cub Swanson debuted in WEC (World Extreme Cagefighting), submitting Tommy Lee by guillotine choke.

2007: Joins WEC

In 2007, Cub Swanson joined the WEC (World Extreme Cagefighting) promotion after winning nine fights.

December 3, 2008: Fight of the Night honors at WEC 37

On December 3, 2008, Cub Swanson defeated Hiroyuki Takaya at WEC 37 via unanimous decision and earned Fight of the Night honors, marking his first official WEC award.

April 5, 2009: Fight Cancellation at WEC 40

On April 5, 2009, Cub Swanson was scheduled to fight Diego Nunes at WEC 40, but Nunes withdrew due to a hand injury.

August 18, 2010: Loss to Chad Mendes at WEC 50

On August 18, 2010, at WEC 50, Cub Swanson faced Chad Mendes and lost via unanimous decision.

March 3, 2011: Pulled from UFC Live fight due to injury

On March 3, 2011, Cub Swanson was expected to face Erik Koch at UFC Live: Sanchez vs. Kampmann, but he had to pull out due to an injury.

October 28, 2011: WEC merges with UFC

On October 28, 2011, WEC merged with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), and most WEC fighter contracts, including Cub Swanson's, were transferred to UFC.

January 28, 2012: Victory over George Roop at UFC on Fox

On January 28, 2012, Cub Swanson faced George Roop at UFC on Fox: Evans vs. Davis and won the fight via TKO in the second round.

February 16, 2013: Fight against Dennis Siver cancelled

On February 16, 2013, Cub Swanson was scheduled to face Dennis Siver at UFC on Fuel TV: Barão vs. McDonald, but Siver pulled out of the bout, and Dustin Poirier took his place. Swanson won by unanimous decision.

March 2013: Ranked #10 Featherweight

As of March 2013, Cub Swanson was ranked as the #10 Featherweight in the world by Sherdog and ranked #5 within the UFC.

July 6, 2013: Victory over Dennis Siver at UFC 162

On July 6, 2013, Cub Swanson fought Dennis Siver at UFC 162 and won via TKO in the third round, earning Fight of the Night honors. The fight was the first of Swanson's new five-fight contract.

July 2013: Last finish before 2020

July 2013 marked the date of Cub Swanson's last finish before his victory over Daniel Pineda in December 12, 2020.

April 18, 2015: Loss to Max Holloway at UFC on Fox 15

On April 18, 2015, Cub Swanson fought Max Holloway at UFC on Fox 15 and lost via guillotine choke in the third round, suffering a broken jaw and a broken right hand.

April 16, 2016: Victory over Hacran Dias at UFC on Fox 19

On April 16, 2016, Cub Swanson faced Hacran Dias at UFC on Fox 19 and won the fight via unanimous decision.

December 10, 2016: Fight of the Year at UFC 206

On December 10, 2016, Cub Swanson fought Choi Doo-ho at UFC 206 and won via unanimous decision, earning Fight of the Night honors and later, Fight of the Year at the World MMA Awards.

April 22, 2017: Victory over Artem Lobov at UFC Fight Night 108

On April 22, 2017, Cub Swanson defeated Artem Lobov at UFC Fight Night 108 via unanimous decision, breaking the record for most significant strikes landed in a UFC Featherweight bout and earning Fight of the Night honors. Swanson also broke his hand for the 10th time in his career.

May 10, 2017: Taught intermediate MMA classes at UFC Gym

On May 10, 2017, Cub Swanson, co-owner of a UFC Gym in Costa Mesa, taught intermediate MMA classes at the UFC Gym, including Boxing, kickboxing and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

December 9, 2017: Loss to Brian Ortega at UFC Fight Night 123

On December 9, 2017, Cub Swanson lost to Brian Ortega via submission at UFC Fight Night 123, but earned his third consecutive Fight of the Night bonus award. He also re-signed with the UFC due to consistent drug testing by USADA.

April 21, 2018: Loss to Frankie Edgar at UFC Fight Night 128

On April 21, 2018, Cub Swanson faced Frankie Edgar in a rematch at UFC Fight Night 128 and lost via unanimous decision.

August 4, 2018: Loss to Renato Moicano at UFC 227

On August 4, 2018, Cub Swanson lost to Renato Moicano via a rear-naked choke submission in the first round at UFC 227.

May 4, 2019: Loss to Shane Burgos at UFC Fight Night 151

On May 4, 2019, Cub Swanson faced Shane Burgos at UFC Fight Night 151 and lost the fight by split decision.

October 12, 2019: Victory over Kron Gracie at UFC on ESPN+

On October 12, 2019, Cub Swanson defeated Kron Gracie at UFC on ESPN+ 19 via unanimous decision, earning the Fight of the Night bonus award.

December 12, 2019: Injury at Quintet Ultra

On December 12, 2019, Cub Swanson competed at Quintet Ultra as part of Team WEC and tore his ACL and meniscus in his left knee during his bout with Jake Shields.

2019: Highly praised for takedown defence

In 2019 Cub Swanson was highly praised for his takedown defence against world class jiu-jitsu fighter Kron Gracie at UFC Fight Night: Joanna vs. Waterson.

December 12, 2020: Victory over Daniel Pineda at UFC 256

On December 12, 2020, Cub Swanson defeated Daniel Pineda at UFC 256 via knockout in the second round, marking his first finish since July 2013.

May 1, 2021: Loss to Giga Chikadze

On May 1, 2021, Cub Swanson faced Giga Chikadze after Gavin Tucker was moved to another fight. Swanson lost the fight via TKO in the first round.

December 18, 2021: Victory over Darren Elkins at UFC Fight Night

On December 18, 2021, Cub Swanson defeated Darren Elkins at UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Daukaus via TKO in the first round, earning the Performance of the Night bonus award. He also signed a new four-fight contract following the bout.

October 15, 2022: Bantamweight Debut

On October 15, 2022, Cub Swanson faced Jonathan Martinez in his bantamweight debut at UFC Fight Night 212. He lost the fight via technical knockout in round two.

August 12, 2023: Return to Featherweight Division

On August 12, 2023, Cub Swanson returned to the Featherweight division and faced Hakeem Dawodu at UFC on ESPN: Luque vs. dos Anjos. He won the fight by controversial unanimous decision.

June 29, 2024: Fight of the Night award against Andre Fili

On June 29, 2024, Cub Swanson faced Andre Fili at UFC 303. Although 13 out of 15 media outlets scored the bout for Swanson who lost by split decision, the fight earned him another Fight of the Night award.

December 14, 2024: Fight of the Night award against Billy Quarantillo

On December 14, 2024, Cub Swanson faced Billy Quarantillo at UFC on ESPN 63 and won the fight via a one-two punch knockout in the third round, earning him another Fight of the Night award.