UFC 206's Cub Swanson: Conor McGregor should've been stripped 'a long time ago'

TORONTO – Longtime UFC featherweight contender Cub Swanson agrees wholeheartedly with the UFC’s decision to strip the 145-pound title from Conor McGregor.

Swanson (23-7 MMA, 8-3 UFC), who looks to strengthen his case for a title shot with a win over Dooho Choi (14-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC) at UFC 206 on Saturday, said the division was at a standstill with McGregor (21-3 MMA, 9-1 UFC) on top. He said it needed to move forward – something he said couldn’t happen with “The Notorious” holding multiple UFC belts.

Now, with McGregor holding just the lightweight belt, Jose Aldo promoted to champion, and Saturday’s UFC 206 headliner set to a crown an interim champ, the 145-pounders can move on.

“They should have stripped Conor a long time ago,” Swanson told MMAjunkie. “It’s absolutely ridiculous. I see what they were trying to do with him being a two-division champ, but they should have done that right away. He was the one that called the shot of doing 170. Nate Diaz wanted 155 both times. That was ridiculous. I’m glad we’re moving forward.

“I was upset that I didn’t get a title shot after six wins in a row, multiple No. 1 contender fights, but this kid (UFC 206 headliner Max Holloway) had like (nine) in a row. I’m glad he’s getting his shot (at the interim belt). I’m glad to see (Anthony Pettis), a 155-pound champ, coming down and fighting him. The winner fights Aldo. I think it’s awesome, and it brings excitement back to the division again.”

UFC 206 takes place at Air Canada Centre in Toronto. The main card, including Swanson vs. Choi, airs on pay-per-view following prelims on FS1 and UFC Fight Pass.

Swanson, No. 6 in the USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA featherweight rankings, has been a pro since 2004. As a veteran, he’s now being targeted by up-and-comers, a description that perfectly fits No. 14-ranked Choi, who’s considered one of the sport’s brightest prospects at 145 pounds.

Choi specifically requested the matchup, and Swanson said he was happy to oblige. He said younger fighters who are nipping at his heels provide a source of motivation he’s yet to experience in his career.

“It’s fun,” Swanson said. “It makes it fresh again. Not too long ago – it was a long time ago, but it doesn’t feel too long ago – I called out Jens Pulver to fight, and I was the guy that was hungry, trying to prove himself. And now here we are, and people are calling me out. It comes full circle. I’m proud of the role in now. It’s exciting.”

If victorious at UFC 206, Swanson would own a three-fight winning streak. He knows a title shot won’t come immediately afterward, but he said the clarity atop the division in light of McGregor’s departure at champion makes his path to the top much easier.

“I’ve been at the top, but you have to have a win streak to be in contention,” Swanson said. “This would be three in a row, and that would put me right for another big fight. And that’s where I want to be at this point. I want to be in big fights.”

For more on UFC 206, check out the UFC Rumors section of MMAjunkie.