MMA world can expect action when brawlers Swanson, Stephens clash

(This story appeared in Wednesday’s edition of USA TODAY.)

SAN ANTONIO — For MMA fans wanting to see knockouts, there were plenty of offerings during the last 18 months. One of the best opportunities, though, could come this weekend.

Some recent highlight-reel fights, including lights-out shots from UFC veterans Roy Nelson and Dong Hyun Kim, followed a spate of decision-heavy fight cards early this year.

Action isn’t always guaranteed in the octagon, and often fights billed as slugfests turn out to be duds.

Nearly 57% of UFC fights this year have gone to the judges.

However, on paper, UFC featherweights Cub Swanson (20-5 MMA, 5-1 UFC) and Jeremy Stephens (23-9 MMA, 10-8 UFC), who headline Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 44 in San Antonio (Fox Sports 1, 8 p.m. ET), look like the perfect pair to deliver concussive results. Swanson has stopped four of his last five opponents, and Stephens has two recent GIF-worthy KOs and 15 career stoppages via strikes.

Yet the stakes are such that an anticipated exciting matchup could turn into a clinch-heavy snoozefest.

Swanson is on the cusp of a featherweight title shot – many fans felt he was unfairly denied the opportunity in favor of previous challenger Chad Mendes – and needs a win to be in consideration to fight the winner of an August rematch between Mendes and champion Jose Aldo. Stephens, a 2-1 underdog according to the sports books, could easily steal that position with an upset.

But there’s more to the fight than what could take place in the future, the featherweights say.

“I’m just thinking about this fight,” Swanson tells USA TODAY Sports. “I’m being given an opportunity to show what I can do, and that’s all that matters. …

“I know he’s going to bring it, and I’m always up for the challenge, especially when somebody tries to say that they’re a better striker than me. It makes me want to prove them wrong.”

Stephens agreed the two are good with their fists. But he said he stops fighters cold, whereas Swanson merely stops them.

“If anybody is going to knock anybody out, it’s going to be me,” Stephens says. “I feel like I have more power in my shots. When he hits people, it’s more like a TKO where they’re just rattled. When I knock people out, they’re not getting up. They get woken up and sat on a chair (and ask), ‘What just happened?’”

Stephens, who’s ranked No. 14 in the USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA featherweight rankings, said his punching power is God-given, but good technique gives him the ability to end a fight with any shot. Swanson, ranked No. 3, counters that he’s the guy that professional boxers have to go through on sparring day at his gym in Palm Springs, Calif. Former boxing champion Timothy Bradley is a frequent partner.

Saturday’s headliner is a five-round fight, so Swanson and Stephens would be wise to conserve their energy over 25 minutes.

The fighters, though, are promising an entertaining night.

“I’m not the kind of guy who plays it safe,” Swanson says. “I fight for the crowd. That’s what makes me happy.”

For more on UFC Fight Night 44, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.