Quick hit: MMAmania.com exclusive interview with UFC fighter Mike Swick

by MMAmania.com on Feb 24, 2008 11:33 AM EST

After more than nine months of inactivity, Mike Swick returned to action last month to fight Josh Burkman during the main even at UFC Fight Night 12.

The bout marked the welterweight debut for the former contestant on season one of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) after winning six of seven bouts in the middleweight division.

It was an impressive run that put him in contention for the 185-pound title. In fact, if he defeated Yushin Okami in front of his hometown crowd at UFC 69: "Shootout" in April 2007 it would be hard to argue against giving him an opportunity to challenge for the belt.

He didn't win, losing a unanimous decision to the Japanese fighter. And it was after that loss that Swick decided to move from one of the organization's most talent shallow to one of its deepest, the 170-pound class.

Swick revealed that he was on the smaller end of the spectrum in the division and would prefer to go at it with guys more his size even though his training partners at American Kickboxing Academy, Jon Fitch and Josh Koscheck, are top welterweight competitors.

MMAmania.com recently exchanged emails with Swick while he was in Thailand. He talks about the lackluster win over Josh Burkman, addresses post-fight comments from "The People's Warrior" that Swick was "scared," sets the record straight for critics who feel he should have stayed at 185 pounds and more in this exclusive interview.

MMAmania.com: Mike we know you are busy traveling and will make this as quick as possible. We know you can appreciate that. So let's get to it. What were your thoughts and feelings on the fight against Josh Burkman?

Mike Swick: I was not happy with my performance.

MMAmania.com: Why did you apologize for the fight?

Mike Swick: Because I felt it was boring to the fans.

MMAmania.com: What do you have to say about his post-fight comments that you were "scared"?

Mike Swick: He is delusional. I knew he would talk after the fight. Thats just his thing, he is not a top level fighter so he has to convince people of how good he thinks he is. He has to sell himself because he knows his performance isn't selling anything. Bottom line, he is not as strong as the top welterweights, he does not have the best takedowns in the division, and he doesn't have the elite standup that he thinks he has. He is a man who is realizing that he doesn't have any qualities that will rise him to the top of this division.

MMAmania.com: How is your hand that needed to be x-rayed after the fight and will it keep you out for an extended period of time?

Mike Swick: It's better. I am back to training with it.

MMAmania.com: How different was it fighting in the welterweight division, as opposed to the middleweight?

Mike Swick: It felt better for me. I felt strong and conditioned.

MMAmania.com: What do you have to say to the folks who feel you "chickened out" when you decided to leave the middleweight division?

Mike Swick: I don't know anyone who said that. I don't think anyone with logic would say something that inaccurate. I did quite well in the middleweight division only taking a decision loss to a current top contender. Who was I afraid of? I had already called out Silva and tried to get that fight.

MMAmania.com: That's right. Before the fight with Okami you went on a PR campaign to fight Anderson. Is that a fight you still want and how would it unfold?

Mike Swick: Stylistically, I still love that fight. I would like to get a bit bigger but would still like it if I can.

MMAmania.com: The talent is by far deeper at 170 than 185. What was the thinking behind the decision process to drop down?

Mike Swick: Because that's my natural division. I have been fighting out of my division my whole career. I train with Kos and Fitch, both of whom usually outweigh me.

MMAmania.com: Who would you like to fight next in the welterweight division? Name some names.Mike Swick: I want to fight them all!

MMAmania.com: Where would you rank yourself in the division right now -- near the top, middle or bottom?

Mike Swick: I wouldn't rank myself until after my next fight.

MMAmania.com: The last two fights you've appeared more cautious than the Swick who used to come out guns blazing. Can we expect to see the "old" Mike Swick return anytime soon?

Mike Swick: Yes.

MMAmania.com: I understand you are going to Thailand, is this for business or pleasure?

Mike Swick: Just got back. It was both. I did a seminar and then relaxed and backpacked through Cambodia and southern Thailand.

MMAmania.com: Thanks Mike. We know you don't have much time. Anything you want to say to your fans, supporters and sponsors before we wrap this thing up?

Mike Swick: I want to thank all the fans for their support! For up to date news, please check out my official Web site at and my MySpace page. Thanks!

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Comments

Swick-“he is not a top level fighter”on Burkman…
Well, Swick your coming down in weight and were the bigger fighter and you couldnt finish the fight……….So, what does that make you???? Sure and the Hell not a top level fighter at 170,anyways!! Do Your self and all your fans a FAVOR and go back to 185 division, you look more healthy, you look faster and stronger…Swick’s going to get his ass kicked as a welterweight!!!!!

by Bruce on Feb 24, 2008 11:56 AM EST reply actions

Lets hope he brings back the “quick” part of his name with a few swift finishes in his next matches.

He is a talent but damn I think the welter weight and light weight divisions are much deeper in terms of skill set than any other. So he has to bring his A-game everytime.

by Holdin_Ropes on Feb 24, 2008 11:59 AM EST reply actions

I think anyone who said Swick is scared is insane. The drop was a pretty good idea IMHO, lets be honest he’s never been a huge Middleweight, and yeah he was a little thin this last time, but he’ll gauge(sp?)cuts better, and then he’ll be a little meatier at 170. and with that power and the Swickotine, he’ll be a force before ya know it.

by Hitman V7.0 on Feb 24, 2008 12:03 PM EST reply actions

I would like to see mike swick fight marcus davis next i think that would be a great fight and a great addition to the ufc 85 card that already include liddell vs. shogun and possibly vera vs. werdum, also lesnar will appear and marcus davis.

by matt on Feb 24, 2008 12:06 PM EST reply actions

I would like to see mike swick fight marcus davis next i think that would be a great fight and a great addition to the ufc 85 card that already include liddell vs. shogun and possibly vera vs. werdum, also lesnar will appear and marcus davis.

Yeah I’d like to see him fight Davis too.

by Toms Bombs on Feb 24, 2008 12:28 PM EST reply actions

I think that would be a great match up for the fans but personally I dont think that would be a good match up for Swick. He may just mess around and get knocked out. His chin is great but I just think he could bite off a little more than he could chew with Marcus Davis.

by Ryder Die on Feb 24, 2008 1:19 PM EST reply actions

I agree with Swick. He’s always been a pretty cool cat, not much of a trash talker, and he’s right about Burkman’s skill set.

It seemed to me that Burkman was “scared” with all of his failed takedown attempts that were routinely defended. I’ll admit those takedowns took Swick out of his striking game and kep’t him off balance so great job by Burkman but that don’t give you the right to talk after the fact. The judges saw that fight the right way.

It was a stylistically boring fight for the casual fan but a good chess match between styles.

Not to diss Burkman but when he got kicked in the head, he was the one with the “scared” expression.

Anyway….I put scared in quotes because it is a stupid term for fighters. All of the fighters are scared, it is a great source of motivation.

Fear is the fuel that many use more often than
their confidence and belief in self.

by Ny on Feb 24, 2008 1:32 PM EST reply actions

Yeah I’d like to see him fight Davis too.

make that 3 i would do and i fill davis by tko 1st round and thats no diss to swick but i fill davis is jus on a tear

by chuckisover-rated on Feb 24, 2008 1:35 PM EST reply actions

I have never been a big fan of Swicks. He is a cool guy, and I acknowledge his skills but I dont see anything special about him at any division. I dont think he could win a UFC title no matter what weight he fights in.

Swick must have been the dillusional one, if he was thinking that he could have beaten Anderson Silva back bin his 185 lb days. He doesnt belong in the same Octagon as the spider, and I could see GSP running through him as well.

I dont even think Swick could beat his teammate Fitch.

Swick is a gate keeper, who deserves to be ranked 12-7…but he wont get any further then that.

I agree with Swick when he said Burkman was a B-level fighter, problem with that is….so is Swick!

by john on Feb 24, 2008 2:54 PM EST reply actions

yea, the winner of swick vs davis would really move the winner into the top of the ww division.

P.S. I HATE KARO

by box91 on Feb 24, 2008 2:57 PM EST reply actions

I would like to see mike swick fight marcus davis next i think that would be a great fight and a great addition to the ufc 85 card that already include liddell vs. shogun and possibly vera vs. werdum, also lesnar will appear and marcus davis.

That’s exactly what I was thinking. I’ll be at 85, I think it could be a very good card. Swick would be a nice addition to the card.

by RobH86 on Feb 24, 2008 3:08 PM EST reply actions

BOORing, his fight against “peoples champ” was the most boring so far

by Ramon on Feb 24, 2008 4:19 PM EST reply actions

Swick-“he is not a top level fighter”on Burkman…
Well, Swick your coming down in weight and were the bigger fighter and you couldnt finish the fight……….So, what does that make you???? Sure and the Hell not a top level fighter at 170,anyways!! Do Your self and all your fans a FAVOR and go back to 185 division, you look more healthy, you look faster and stronger…Swick’s going to get his ass kicked as a welterweight!!!!!

well he barely made 181 or 182 with out cutting weight!!…he really is better off at 170lbs. he did real well against top 185 contenders…but after that i couldnt see hime getting past the big middleweights! no way. i still would like to silva fight swick though…someone with as fast hands as his!

by twizted203 on Feb 24, 2008 6:04 PM EST reply actions

I hope the lackluster was just a style clash and that swick will be an exciting addition to welterweight. Lets see him take on Patrick cote That could be a war

by AdamYves on Feb 25, 2008 6:22 AM EST reply actions