TAMPA, Fla. – Cub Swanson doesn’t look at Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 63 matchup with Billy Quarantillo as a clash of different generations.
Although Quarantillo, 36, said he was watching Swanson, 41, fight before he even turned professional in MMA, there is only a five-year age gap between the featherweights gong into their co-main event matchup at Amalie Arena (ESPN2, ESPN+).
For Swanson (29-14 MMA, 14-10 UFC), he appreciates the fandom that once came from his opponent, and is happy to compete against Quarantillo (18-6 MMA, 6-4 UFC).
“I kind of expected (he was a fan) because I think I have a fan-friendly fighting style,” Swanson told MMA Junkie and other reporters at Wednesday’s media day. “It makes me proud. I’ve got no problem with it. I know he just had a birthday, so I’m excited to welcome him into the master’s division. He’s one of the old guys like myself. He’s been around for a little while, so I’m happy to welcome him to the master’s division.”
Swanson is set to fight for the 32nd time in his UFC/WEC career this weekend, which is the most appearances of any 145-pound fighter. He said he intends to continue fighting “for a little bit longer,” but doesn’t have a specific timeline in mind.
One of Swanson’s key driving forces at this point, he said, is to set an example. Part of his transition out of being an active competitor is to run a management company, which he’s already been doing for several years with multiple UFC fighters already in his stable.
Swanson wants to guide those athletes, and he said the best way to do that is to practice what he preaches.
“I’d say my main motivation at this point is I have Bloodline, the management company and I have a whole crew of guys that I mentor and really try to show them what to do, what not to do,” Swanson said. “Helping them with training, their mental game and it’s one thing for a coach to say, ‘Do this, do that.’ It’s another thing to show them.”
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This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Cub Swanson excited to welcome Billy Quarantillo ‘to the master’s division’ at UFC Tampa
