Frankie Edgar vs. Cub Swanson was a bout between the No. 2 and No. 3 featherweight fighters in the world on paper – but “The Answer” certainly made sure it didn’t look that way for very long.
Edgar, a former UFC lightweight champion, seemed fairly evenly matched with the WEC import midway through the first round, but a takedown towards the end of the opening frame was a precursor of what was coming next.
The New Jersey native made sure Swanson couldn’t stay upright for very long in the next four rounds, going seven of 10 on his takedowns and delivering a blistering barrage of elbows and punches when the fight hit the canvas.
As Swanson became more cut, bloody and swollen as the matchup went on, fight fans had to wonder if he had trained any wrestling for this matchup, as he looked completely helpless off his back and could not keep the fight standing for extended periods of time.
To his credit, Swanson never looked for the easy way out, enduring the punishment for over 20 minutes.
However, Edgar kicked it into high gear as the fight wound down, and as a TKO stoppage looked probable, he locked up a tight neck crank almost immediately after Swanson gave up his back.
With just four seconds in the bout remaining, Swanson tapped out. After the fight, Swanson said he knew there was very little time left on the clock, but didn't want to risk sustaining another broken jaw.
After the bout, Edgar told color commentator Jon Anik he deserved the next shot at Jose Aldo, despite losing a hard-fought decision to the champ at UFC 156 in February 2013.
"I just beat the guy who was promised it, so I'm hoping I take that spot,” Edgar said of a possible title fight.
"Based on what Cub has done in his past six or seven fights, the tear he's been on, and being able to go out there and finish him -- I would've loved to have done it a little quicker -- but I think I've done enough.”
Since that loss, Edgar has rattled off three decisive wins over Charles Oliveira, BJ Penn and now Swanson – with the latter two matchups ending with violent finishes.