LAS VEGAS – Cub Swanson is grateful to be a UFC fighter.
Swanson (29-13 MMA, 14-9 UFC) will face Andre Fili (23-11 MMA, 11-10 UFC) in a prelim event at UFC 303 (pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+) on Saturday from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Swanson, a 42-fight veteran and one of the longest-tenured active UFC fighters, acknowledges the end is near but says he can't imagine life outside of fighting in the Octagon.
“It literally saved my life,” Swanson told MMA Junkie and other reporters during his pre-fight press conference on Wednesday. “My life wasn't going well. I was lost and this sport gave me order, it humbled me and it gave me direction. This sport has taught me so many life lessons. I wouldn't be where I am today without this sport.”
Swanson considered retirement before his narrow decision win over Hakeem Dawoud last August, but isn't ready to set a specific date for his final fight.
“I've been on that wavelength for a while, but the mindset is this is the last chapter, not the last fight,” Swanson said. “So I don't know what's next. I take every fight like it's my last fight. I had back problems for years and a lot of people thought my last fight was going to be my last. I had back surgery and I feel a lot better and I have a new life in me.”
Swanson, who earned Fight of the Night honors for his win over Doo-Ho Choi at UFC 206 and earned induction into the UFC Hall of Fame with nine bonuses during his UFC career, echoed Fili's excitement when he was offered the bout.
“At this point in my career, I'm just trying to have fun,” Swanson said. “I know I perform best when I'm having fun and I'm just trying to perform really well. I think I've solidified myself as a fan favorite and a guy that people love to watch play, so it's just a bonus at this point.”
For more on the card, check out MMA Junkie's UFC 303 event hub.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie.
