Martial Arts will make you a better person if you allow it to. So many people see a low point as bad luck but its a learning experience.—Cub Swanson

Martial Arts will make you a better person if you allow it to. So many people see a low point as bad luck but its a learning experience

— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) May 3, 2017

"I'm still a martial artist at heart. I believe in controlling yourself and just letting your fighting do the talking and being humble. I think that's huge in life—to be a good man." —Cub Swanson

 

"People are more dangerous when they're calm. When they're loud and aggressive that's usually an act and usually trying to compensate." ―Cub Swanson

 

"My fighting speaks for itself and I'd rather have it that way...I'm the kind of person that thinks that you should get what you deserve in what you show, with actions, not with words." ―Cub Swanson

 

You just got to out there and flow, like Bruce Lee said, you got to be like water. You got to be at such a high level and it's taken me 11 years to perform like this. —Cub Swanson

“I decided to be a smarter fighter. I already knew I was tough, so if I was smart and tough, I was more likely to be a champion” — Cub Swanson

"The only pressure I ever feel is the pressure I put on myself; and I did that to myself for 10 years, I'm over it. Now I go out there and I enjoy what I do." —Cub Swanson

"The only pressure I ever feel is the pressure I put on myself; and I did that to myself for 10 years, I'm over it. Now I go out there and I enjoy what I do."
—Cub Swanson

"I made a lot of mistakes. I got lost in the woods a few times, and that's my personality—to end up taking the hardest road possible to get to the top. But I think I will get there, and I honestly think that it will feel like the best thing ever because of everything I've been through." —Cub Swanson

"I made a lot of mistakes. I got lost in the woods a few times, and that's my personality—to end up taking the hardest road possible to get to the top. But I think I will get there, and I honestly think that it will feel like the best thing ever because of everything I've been through."
—Cub Swanson

Cub Swanson: Beautiful Destruction

For UFC featherweight Cub Swanson, his favorite type of victory is one where he's totally winning the bout and demonstrating his skills; when he does that it's a display of beautiful destruction.
This is akin to the artistry of Anderson Silva, which Joe Rogan labeled as a "Ballet of Violence".

Cub Swanson on giving it his all

Cub Swanson on leaving it all in the UFC Octagon:
I go out there and try and do my best so I'm not disappointed in myself; I know I gave it my all.

Cub Swanson on what he thinks before a fight starts

Cub Swanson on what enters his head before he is right about to fight in the UFC Octagon:

The only thing going through my mind is stay loose and stay fast.

Cub Swanson: It's not about the belt

For Cub Swanson it's about reaching his potential and being the absolute best fighter he can possibly be. If he achieves that he is confident that the UFC featherweight title and all the other perks of being the best will come along his way if he achieves his goal:

My goal is about being the best fighter that I can possibly be...That's always been my goal. It's not about a belt...That stuff will come if I'm as good as I think I am, and if I reach my full potential.

Timothy Bradley on Cub Swanson

Boxing champion Timothy Bradley went to high school with Cub Swanson and has trained with the UFC featherweight star. Bradley became an instant star after defeating Manny Pacquiao, and he has some high praise for Cub Swanson:
Cub is surely the example of hard work and dedication and never giving up on yourself; that's Cub Swanson.

Cub Swanson on his personality

My personality is if I'm going to do something I'm going to do it all the way.
- Cub Swanson

Cub Swanson on being exciting for the fans

For UFC featherweight Cub Swanson, he tries to pull of creative, interesting, and exciting attacks because as a fan he knows what it's like to see a bout with little action going on:
I feel bad every time like 10 seconds goes by without action, because as a fan, I get mad.

Cub Swanson on staying calm in between rounds

I like to relax, catch my breath, drink some water. And I'm a pretty calm person in general, so when I can calm myself down I'm going to come out and perform better.

- Cub Swanson on his mindset between rounds

Cub Swanson on being a positive role model

Cub Swanson turned his life around from being in jail at age 16 to bettering himself and becoming a top star in the UFC's featherweight division:

I feel like I want to go ahead and accept that role of a positive role model for people, and I also want to challenge other fighters to step up and be a better influence. Like the NFL players that are getting into trouble, it's sad to me that you're in such a great position and people look up to you and you don't respect that.

Cub Swanson on seeking Beautiful Destruction

For Cub Swanson, he feels beautiful destruction is the epitome of success in the UFC Octagon:

If it's a one-sided fight and you're just imposing your will, it should look beautiful.

Cub Swanson appreciating fighting

Cub Swanson on his gratitude for fighting:

I know this doesn't last forever, so I'm cherishing every minute of it

Cub Swanson on his ups and downs

Cub Swanson on taking his UFC career to the next level:

I've had my ups and downs, I've given people a reason to doubt me, and I'm ready to change that.