Cub Swanson Frustrated With UFC After Not Getting Title Shot

In an interview with MMA Fighting, Cub Swanson revealed that he’s frustrated with the UFC after getting passed over for a title shot at UFC 218 against featherweight champion Max Holloway. Here are highlights:

On not getting the title shot: “It was between me and Frankie (for the original title shot), and then Frankie got it, and it was a tough pill to swallow, and I got over it. And I thought for sure, if anybody wouldn’t pull out of a fight, it would be him, because I think he’s the kind of guy who would fight through a torn knee or anything. But I guess he has a fracture in his face or something like that, and that’s something that you can’t fight through, so I was shocked when I found out that he was pulling out, and then I was like, ‘Wow, this going to happen.’ I had such an amazing camp. I helped T.J. (Dillashaw) train for his fight. Over here at Jackson’s now, I’m ahead of schedule. This is just too perfect. And I was trying to get ahold of the UFC, let them know, and they told me that they were trying to figure it all out, it’s kinda madness. And then they told me that they were going to give it to Aldo.”

On if his contract status played a part: “It’s very hard to see. Dana (White) told me that they want to make me happy, they want to keep me around. He was genuine about it when he said. I just kinda find it hard to think that’s going to happen, considering circumstances. I mean, they could’ve made me happy really quickly and they went a different route.”

On declining a new offer: “I just explained to them that, hey, I’m getting on the later side of my career. I’ve never been doing better. I have a family now, and it’s like, if I’m going to start concentrating on my retirement and setting myself up so I’m not left with nothing at the end of the day, I should be getting paid more. The money that I have coming in, I’m investing, I’m doing all of the right things. I’m not blowing money. I’m not that guy. And it’s like, man, if I had more money to work with, I could really set myself up, so that’s what I’m fighting for.”