Featherweight competitor Cub Swanson is headlining UFC Fight Night Fresno this December against Brian Ortega.
It is the final fight on Swanson’s current UFC deal and the fighter is planning on testing the free agent market after the bout.
“It’s a power move. Of course, I want to get paid more,” Swanson said on Five Rounds. “The thing people don’t understand is that I’ve got to a point where I’m making good money and it’s enough to live on, but it’s not retirement money. Not even close. I've been doing this for 13 years and I'm in the prime of my career, but at some point it's going to dip off, and I'd like to walk away before I start having really bad performances -- with enough money in my account to make smart investments and do the right things. I just want that opportunity."
Swanson has spent the last six-plus years competing in the UFC, amassing a record of 10-3-0 in the promotion.
One of the issues that Swanson currently has in the promotion right now is the fact that he believes UFC officials see him as nothing more than a gate keeper.
"My last couple fights, I feel they're showing that they see me more as a gatekeeper, having all these young up-and-comers fight me. I've got no problem knocking them off. To say I'm getting paid the same to fight Aldo or Frankie, as Brian Ortega? I'm like, 'OK, I'll take this youngster, who hasn't been in the five-round wars yet,’” Swanson said.
UFC Fight Night Fresno takes place on Saturday, December 9 from the Save Mart Center in Fresno, California with Cub Swanson and Brian Ortega headlining. Fightful is providing live coverage of the event, which airs live on Fox Sports 1.
