UFC Fight Night 44 results: Cub Swanson wins decision over Jeremy Stephens

The main event of tonight's (Sat., June 28, 2014) UFC Fight Night 44: "Swanson vs. Stephens" showcase at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas, featured featherweight contenders Cub Swanson and Jeremy Stephens hoping to stake their claim to a title shot in a fairly weak division with a thoroughly dominant champion.

After a dreadful evening of action in the "Lone Star State", they were also tasked with saving a dull event.

They did just that.

Stephens was successful early on, especially in the second round when he scored multiple knockdowns, but Swanson took over late in the bout after a liver kick in the third gave him the momentum he needed to get to the judges scorecards, where they awarded him a unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 48-47).

When asked what's next for him, including the possibility of a title shot against reigning king Jose Aldo, Swanson stated, quite simply, "I don't beg".

Fair enough.

As for Stephens, he confirmed initial fears that he suffered an injury early in the bout.

"It was either the first or the second, I think I threw a hook or something, my whole left hand went numb," Stephens revealed.

That's too bad, considering how well he was doing in the first 10 minutes. Had he avoided the injury would the eventual outcome have been any different?

We'll never know.

For more on Swanson vs. Stephens click here, and for complete UFC Fight Night 44 results and blow-by-blow coverage of all the night's action click here.