Cub Swanson couldn’t have written a better swan song for his career after he demolished Nate Landwehr in his retirement fight at UFC 327.
The 42-year-old veteran and the final WEC fighter still on the active roster came out like a ball of fire, showcasing crisp and powerful striking as he hurt Landwehr multiple times in the opening round. The fight finally came to a close after Swanson unloaded a devastating punch that sent Landwehr crashing to the canvas and he followed up with one more shot as referee
Herb Dean rushed in to stop the fight.
The end came at 4:06 in the first round as Swanson took off his gloves to officially signify his retirement and he goes out with another highlight reel victory.
“You know I’m going to get all emotional,” Swanson said after his 31st and final win of his career. “I’ve been doing this a long time … I try to be brave and just focus and I was so proud I was able to accomplish that tonight.”
Swanson opened with a series of calf kicks with Landwehr countering with a lead jab as the featherweights jockeyed for position in the octagon. Swanson got a little more aggressive and he really started lighting up Landwehr on the feet as he really started dishing out the damage.
Landwehr did his best to weather the story and fire back but Swanson was just picking him apart. A knockdown followed with Swanson just blasting away at him and Landwehr shifting into survival mode.
While Landwehr tried to find some kind of offense, Swanson was just answering him at every turn with blistering strikes that continued to chip away at the Tennessee native.
That’s when Swanson uncorked a beautiful overhand right that cracked Landwehr and sent him to the ground one last time. As Landwehr stumbled forward, Swanson popped him one more time and the referee saw enough to end it.
Swanson retires with a 31-14 record overall with the past 15 years spent competing in the UFC and a professional fighting career that dates back to 2004.
