Cub Swanson says he 'panicked' from Brian Ortega's choke: 'I felt like I was going to die'

FRESNO, Calif. – Aside from potentially contracting an illness from a baby a day before his fight, Cub Swanson thinks things were going pretty well against Brian Ortega prior to his submission loss in Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 123 headliner.

Naturally Swanson (25-8 MMA, 10-4 UFC) was disappointed he had to tap out in the second round of the FS1-televised featherweight main event at Save Mart Center in Fresno, Calif. However, he struggled to be too critical of his performance against Ortega (13-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC).

“I felt like I was picking him apart, getting my flow from the (start),” Swanson told MMAjunkie. “I was figuring him out. I thought it was one of my best performances until getting caught. … I was landing big body shots, big leg kicks. Everything I wanted to execute I was doing. I felt great, and I messed up.”

Swanson entered the headliner on a four-fight winning streak at 145 pounds and was looking to earn a title shot. It was also the final fight on his current UFC contract, and he said hopes to strike a new deal. UFC President Dana White said he wants to keep him around.

Although the fight was a setback, Swanson gave credit to Ortega for putting him in a guillotine he couldn’t escape.

“It crushed my head, and it’s like my neck just flared up, and I panicked,” Swanson said. “I felt like I was going to die.”

Swanson’s loss marked the first time in his UFC career he’s fallen short against someone who hasn’t challenged for or held a UFC title. Reigning champ Max Holloway, Frankie Edgar and Ricardo Lamas are the only others to get the best of Swanson inside the octagon, and though Ortega joined that list, the veteran still thinks “T-City” can get better.

“I think he’s still got some work to do, but obviously all the tools are there because you can’t teach poise and determination,” Swanson said. “He’s got that. That’s why he’s undefeated. That’s why he’s come from behind all of his fights.”

For complete coverage of UFC Fight Night 123, check out the UFC Events section of the site.