MMAmania.com - Live stream UFC Fight Night 44 online results, recaps, videos and more on FOX Sports 1Best UFC website for news, UFC results, fight highlights and UFC schedule, including live streaming updates, breaking MMA news and much more!https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49461/mania-f.png2014-07-02T12:00:03-04:00http://www.mmamania.com/rss/stream/56178432014-07-02T12:00:03-04:002014-07-02T12:00:03-04:00White: Swanson Will Get What He Wants
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<p>Dana White cleared up the UFC featherweight "title shot" picture, pretty much saying Cub Swanson is going to get it after defeating Jeremy Stephens at UFC Fight Night 44. </p> <p>Don't ask, and you shall receive.</p>
<p>After he defeated Jeremy Stephens in the main event of UFC Fight Night 44 last weekend (Sat., June 28, 2014) in San Antonio, Texas via unanimous decision (<a href="http://www.mmamania.com/2014/6/29/5854164/cub-swanson-vs-jeremy-stephens-full-fight-video-highlights-ufc-fight-night-44">highlights</a>), Cub Swanson declared <a href="http://www.mmamania.com/2014/6/29/5854208/cub-swanson-beg-ufc-title-shot-jose-aldo-vs-chad-mendes-winner">he wouldn't go begging for a title shot</a> during the post-fight press conference.</p>
<p>Luckily for him, he won't have to.</p>
<p>Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) President Dana White -- in so many words -- pretty much revealed that Swanson would indeed get the next crack at the promotion's featherweight title.</p>
<p>At least that's what we deciphered from his conversation with UFC's <a href="http://www.ufc.com/news/dana-download-july-1?utm_campaign=UFC+175&utm_source=15600&utm_medium=Facebook%3A+UFC&">"The Download:"</a></p>
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<p><i>"Let me tell you what, Jeremy is ranked No. 10 but he's not the number 10 fighter. He's better than that, and Cub took big f****** shots from him early, ate his shots and came back and fought a beautiful fight. I'm very excited for his future. Cub's going to get what he wants, let's just put it that way."</i></p>
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<p>Cub's win over "Lil' Heathen" marked his sixth straight, the longest in the highly-competitive 145-pound division.</p>
<p>As for the current champion, Jose Aldo, he has a scheduled rematch set against Chad Mendes, which is set to go down at UFC 176 on Aug. 2, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. And if a <a href="http://www.mmamania.com/2014/6/4/5779368/ufc-176-chad-mendes-fires-back-at-jose-aldo-promises-to-beat-his-ass-mma">determined "Money" has his way</a>, "Junior" won't be leaving the Staples Center with the belt around his waist.</p>
<p>And it would be a shame, too, at least in Swanson's eyes, as he desperately wants to be the one to dethrone <a href="http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Cub-Swanson-on-Jose-Aldo-Rematch-I-Want-to-be-the-Guy-to-Dethrone-the-Legend-69803">"the legend"</a> that is Aldo, and get some much-desired revenge after Jose knocked him out in a mere eight seconds at WEC 41 five years ago.</p>
<p>He just better hope Mendes <a href="http://www.mmamania.com/2013/8/1/4572840/history-in-the-making-jose-aldo-chad-mendes-knockout-ufc-142-mma">doesn't get his revenge, first. </a></p>
https://www.mmamania.com/2014/7/2/5863206/ufc-dana-white-cub-swanson-title-shot-hes-going-to-get-it-mmaAdam Guillen2014-06-30T17:06:09-04:002014-06-30T17:06:09-04:00Rankings! Swanson Soars, Unseats Lamas
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<figcaption>Joe Camporeale-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>In addition, Jeremy Stephens climbs one spot in the 145-pound rankings, despite his defeat.</p> <p>The official UFC rankings have been updated following the carnage at UFC Fight Night 43, as well as UFC Fight Night 44, the mixed martial arts (MMA) doubleheader that took place last Saturday (June 28, 2014) in New Zealand and San Antonio, respectively.</p>
<p>Full results and wrap up from both events <a href="http://www.mmamania.com/2014/6/24/5838806/ufc-fight-night-43-results-live-stream-te-huna-vs-marquardt-fight-pass-discussion-mma" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://www.mmamania.com/2014/6/26/5686892/ufc-fight-night-44-results-live-stream-swanson-vs-stephens-fox-sports-1-discussion-mma" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>
<p>Cub Swanson was the big winner of the night, taking down Jeremy Stephens in San Antonio (<a href="http://www.mmamania.com/2014/6/29/5854164/cub-swanson-vs-jeremy-stephens-full-fight-video-highlights-ufc-fight-night-44" target="_blank">watch it</a>) and jumping two rankings spots in the process. That's probably not going to sit well with Ricardo Lamas, who also took home the dubya in "The Lone Star State," considering he already holds a victory over his fellow WEC import.</p>
<p>In addition, Nate Marquardt is still M.I.A. despite his big win on Fight Pass (<a href="http://www.mmamania.com/2014/6/28/5850748/nate-marquardt-vs-james-te-huna-full-fight-video-highlights-online-ufc-fight-night-43" target="_blank">see it here</a>).</p>
<p>Check out the updated <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ufc.com/rankings">UFC.com rankings</a> (+/- = movement in rankings, *NR = Not previously ranked) below:</p>
<p><b>Pound-for-Pound</b><br>1. Jon Jones <br>2. Jose Aldo <br>3. Cain Velasquez <br>4. Demetrious Johnson<br>5. Chris Weidman<br>6. Anthony Pettis <br>7. Anderson Silva <br>8. Renan Barao <br>9. Johny Hendricks <br>10. Ronda Rousey <br>11. TJ Dillashaw <br>12. Vitor Belfort <br>13. Benson Henderson<br>14. Alexander Gustafsson <br>15. Gilbert Melendez</p>
<p><b>Flyweight</b><br>Champion: Demetrious Johnson<br>1. John Dodson<br>2. Joseph Benavidez <br>3. Ian McCall<br>4. Ali Bagautinov <br>5. John Moraga <br>6. Jussier Formiga<br>7. John Lineker<br>8. Chris Cariaso <br>9. Zack Makovsky<br>10. Brad Pickett +1<br>11. Tim Elliot -1<br>12. Louis Gaudinot<br>13. Dustin Ortiz<br>14. Kyoji Horiguchi <br>15. Scott Jorgensen</p>
<p><b>Bantamweight</b><br>Champion: TJ Dillashaw<br>1. Renan Barao <br>2. Urijah Faber <br>3. Raphael Assuncao <br>4. Michael McDonald <br>5. Takeya Mizugaki +1<br>6. Eddie Wineland -1<br>7. Iuri Alcantara <br>8. Bryan Caraway +1<br>9. Johnny Eduardo -1<br>10. Francisco Rivera <br>11. Alex Caceres +1<br>12. Dominick Cruz -1<br>13. Erik Perez<br>14. Mike Easton<br>15. Wilson Reis</p>
<p><b>Featherweight</b><br>Champion: Jose Aldo<br>1. Chad Mendes<br>2. Cub Swanson +2<br>3. Frankie Edgar -1<br>4. Ricardo Lamas -1<br>5. Chan Sung Jung <br>6. Dustin Poirier <br>7. Nik Lentz +2<br>8. Clay Guida -1<br>9. Dennis Siver -1<br>10. Jeremy Stephens +1<br>11. Dennis Bermudez -1<br>12. Conor McGregor +1<br>12. Darren Elkins <br>14. Charles Oliveira *NR<br>15. Tatsuya Kawajiri -1</p>
<p><b>Lightweight</b><br>Champion: Anthony Pettis<br>1. Ben Henderson <br>2. Gilbert Melendez <br>3. Josh Thomson <br>4. Khabib Nurmagomedov <br>5. Rafael dos Anjos <br>6. Donald Cerrone <br>7. Jim Miller <br>8. Michael Johnson +1<br>9. Myles Jury -1<br>10. Gray Maynard <br>11. Rustam Khabilov <br>12. Bobby Green +1<br>13. Edson Barboza -1<br>14. Jorge Masvidal <br>15. Joe Lauzon</p>
<p><b>Welterweight</b><br>Champion: Johny Hendricks<br>1. Robbie Lawler<br>2. Rory MacDonald<br>3. Carlos Condit <br>4. Tyron Woodley <br>5. Matt Brown <br>6. Hector Lombard <br>7. Jake Ellenberger <br>8. Demian Maia<br>9. Dong Hyun Kim<br>10. Tarec Saffiedine<br>11. Kelvin Gastelum<br>12. Mike Pyle<br>13. Gunnar Nelson<br>14. Ryan LaFlare <br>15. Erick Silva</p>
<p><b>Middleweight</b><br>Champion: Chris Weidman<br>1. Anderson Silva <br>2. Vitor Belfort <br>3. Lyoto Machida <br>4. Jacare Souza <br>5. Luke Rockhold <br>6. Tim Kennedy <br>7. Gegard Mousasi <br>8. Michael Bisping <br>9. CB Dollaway <br>10. Costas Philippou <br>11. Yoel Romero <br>12. Francis Carmont <br>13. Mark Munoz <br>14. Tim Boetsch <br>15. Thales Leites *NR</p>
<p><b>Light Heavyweight</b><br>Champion: Jon Jones<br>1. Alexander Gustafsson<br>2. Daniel Cormier <br>3. Rashad Evans <br>4. Glover Teixeira <br>5. Anthony Johnson <br>6. Phil Davis <br>7. Dan Henderson <br>8. Ryan Bader <br>9. Mauricio Rua <br>10. Ovince Saint Preux <br>11. Jimi Manuwa <br>12. Rafael Cavalcante <br>13. Vitor Belfort <br>14. Fabio Maldonado +1<br>15. Ryan Jimmo *NR</p>
<p><b>Heavyweight</b><br>Champion: Cain Velasquez<br>1. Fabricio Werdum <br>2. Junior dos Santos <br>3. Travis Browne<br>4. Antonio Silva<br>5. Josh Barnett<br>6. Stipe Miocic <br>7. Alistair Overeem <br>8. Mark Hunt<br>9. Roy Nelson<br>10. Frank Mir<br>11. Gabriel Gonzaga<br>12. Stefan Struve<br>13. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira <br>14. Andrei Arlovski +1<br>15. Brendan Schaub *NR</p>
<p><b>Women's Bantamweight</b><br>Champion: Ronda Rousey<br>1. Cat Zingano<br>2. Alexis Davis<br>3. Miesha Tate<br>4. Sara McMann<br>5. Sarah Kaufman<br>6. Jessica Eye<br>7. Liz Carmouche<br>8. Amanda Nunes<br>9. Jessica Andrade<br>10. Bethe Correia<br>11. Julianna Pena<br>11. Germaine de Randamie<br>13. Raquel Pennington<br>14. Jessamyn Duke<br>15. Jessica Rakoczy</p>
<p>Soa Palelei got booted from the heavyweight list -- and replaced by Brendan Schaub -- after getting worked by Jake Rosholt in his own backyard.</p>
<p>You can expect these numbers to change later this week -- in a big way -- thanks to <a href="http://www.mmamania.com/2014/6/30/5858174/live-ufc-175-results-ppv-stream-online-updates-weidman-machida-rousey-davis-mma" target="_blank">the UFC 175 pay-per-view (PPV) event</a>, which features a couple of significant bouts in several prominent divisions, including Chris Weidman vs. Lyoto Machida (middleweight) and Ronda Rousey vs. Alexis Davis (women's bantamweight).</p>
<p>To check out the entire UFC 175 fight card and line up click <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mmamania.com/2014/4/7/5592466/latest-ufc-175-fight-card-rumors-weidman-vs-machida-mandalay-bay-las-vegas-mma">here</a>.</p>
<p>Until then, sound off in the comment section below. And to compare these to the last official UFC rankings click <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mmamania.com/2014/6/16/5815330/official-ufc-rankings-updated-after-ufc-174-andrei-arlovski-tyron-woodley-mma">here</a>.</p>
https://www.mmamania.com/2014/6/30/5857348/official-ufc-rankings-updated-after-ufc-fight-night-43-44-cub-swanson-mmaJesse Holland2014-06-29T21:00:03-04:002014-06-29T21:00:03-04:00Next Matches To Make For UFC's Weekend Winners
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<figcaption>Jason Oxenham</figcaption>
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<p>What could possibly be next for UFC Fight Night 43 & 44 winners Cub Swanson, Kelvin Gastelum, Ricardo Lamas, Nate Marquardt, Jared Rosholt and Charles Oliveira after their main card victories this past weekend (Sat., June 28, 2014) in Auckland and San Antonio? We mix and match them up accordingly below.</p> <p>It's time to play matchmaker.</p>
<p>Since Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) put on two events in two different continents on the same day (Sat., June 28, 2014), we're combining them for this week's edition of "Next Matches To Make."</p>
<p>UFC Fight Night 43: "Marquardt vs. Te Huna" took place from inside Vector Arena in Auckland, New Zealand, and in the main event, Nate Marquardt tapped James Te Huna via armbar in the first round <b>(highlights <a href="http://www.mmamania.com/2014/6/28/5850748/nate-marquardt-vs-james-te-huna-full-fight-video-highlights-online-ufc-fight-night-43">here</a>)</b>.</p>
<p>Also victorious on that card was Jared Rosholt, who defeated Soa Palelei, and Charles Oliveira, who submit Hatsu Hioki <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mmamania.com/2014/6/29/5853054/ufc-fight-night-43-results-recap-charles-oliveira-vs-hatsu-hioki-fight-submission-new-zealand">in amazing fashion</a>.</p>
<p>Fast forward to UFC Fight Night 44: "Swanson vs. Stephens," which saw <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mmamania.com/2014/6/29/5854074/ufc-fight-night-44-results-cub-swanson-wins-decision-over-jeremy-stephens">Cub Swanson defeat Jeremy Stephens </a>by unanimous decision in an action-packed bout <b>(highlights <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mmamania.com/2014/6/29/5854164/cub-swanson-vs-jeremy-stephens-full-fight-video-highlights-ufc-fight-night-44">here</a>).</b></p>
<p>Other main card winners include Kelvin Gastelum, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mmamania.com/2014/6/29/5853972/ufc-fight-night-44-results-kelvin-gastelum-wins-decision-over-nico-musoke">who toppled Nicholas Musoke</a>, and Ricardo Lamas, who edged Hacran Dias.</p>
<p>Without further ado, here are our "Next Matches To Make:"</p>
<p><b>Winner: </b>Charles Oliveira<br><b>Who He Should Fight Next: </b>Max Holloway<br><b>Why They Should Fight: </b>The Brazilian has been heavily overmatched by some of the most revered strikers in both the lightweight and featherweight divisions, so it's best to give him someone who isn't exactly known for knockout power, but more so his well-roundedness.</p>
<p>Holloway is a gifted 22-year-old talent who's already fought some stiff competition in Dustin Poirier, Dennis Bermudez and Conor McGregor to name a few, and after his beautiful submission win over Andre Fili at UFC 172, imagining a fight between him against "do Bronx" is somewhat stimulating.</p>
<p><b>Winner: </b>Jared Rosholt<br><b>Who He Should Fight Next: </b>Winner of Derrick Lewis vs. Guto Inocente at TUF 19 Finale<br><b>Why They Should Fight: </b>Rosholt gets the job done, but he really isn't all that exciting to watch. It's no skin off his back, yet it's tough to give him someone of quality because he hasn't really dazzled inside the Octagon, despite being dominant in his fights.</p>
<p>It's not too early for a potential rematch, though, and Rosholt could anticipate either Derrick Lewis (who he suffered his only loss to) or Inocente, who fight this upcoming weekend at The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 19 Finale.</p>
<p>"The Black Beast" knocked out Rosholt two years ago in Legacy FC to win the organization's heavyweight title.</p>
<p><b>Winner:</b> Nate Marquardt<br><b>Who He Should Fight Next: </b>Winner of Tim Boetsch vs. Brad Tavares at UFC Fight Night 47<br><b>Why They Should Fight: </b>There's no reason to match "The Great" against one of the murderers in the middleweight division right now, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mmamania.com/2014/6/29/5852954/ufc-fight-night-43-results-recap-nate-marquardt-vs-james-tehuna-fight-review-analysis-mma">even if he scored a slick submission win</a> this past weekend.</p>
<p>Plus, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mmamania.com/2014/6/22/5832946/ufc-fight-night-43-preview-nate-marquardt-on-mission-from-god-mma">God wouldn't want that</a>.</p>
<p>You can sort of pit the American against anyone for that matter, and since he snapped a losing streak, it wouldn't be bad for him to face the winner of a fight between two dudes who need to get it together, too.</p>
<p>Tim Boetsch will be facing Brad Tavares in Maine on August 16, and we could see Marquardt's next opponent emerge out of this contest. New Zealand's main event winner did well, but let's not give him the 185-pound cream of the crop, yet.</p>
<p><b>Winner: </b>Ricardo Lamas<br><b>Who He Should Fight Next: </b>Winner of Clay Guida vs. Dennis Bermudez at UFC on 12<br><b>Why They Should Fight:</b> Lamas didn't look spectacular last night, and<a target="_blank" href="http://www.mmamania.com/2014/6/28/5853904/ufc-fight-night-44-results-ricardo-lamas-wins-unanimous-decision-hacran-dias"> those scorecards weren't exactly the most accurate</a>, either.</p>
<p>Still, he earned the much needed win in order to get his career rolling again after coming up short against Jose Aldo at UFC 169, and he can anticipate a tough fight in his next outing to pick up from where he left off.</p>
<p>Either Guida or Bermudez could be a good match up -- and a highly entertaining one -- for "The Bully," since both men love to move forward and trade in the center.</p>
<p><b>Winner: </b>Kelvin Gastelum<br><b>Who He Should Fight Next:</b> Demian Maia<br><b>Why They Should Fight: </b>Gastelum deserves the step up in competition, and Maia is the perfect competitor to see if TUF 17's winner can hack it against top 10 opponents.</p>
<p>After witnessing Nicholas Musoke's success against Gastelum on the ground in the first round, the Brazilian jiu-jitsu phenom could be a tough match for the 9-0 youngster to handle, but his striking could do some serious damage if things stay on the feet.</p>
<p>It also depends on if Gastelum will hire Mike Dolce in order to <a href="http://www.mmamania.com/2014/6/27/5851160/kelvin-gastelum-missed-weight-ufc-fight-night-44-nico-musoke-mma" target="_blank">successfully make weight at 170 pounds</a>.</p>
<p><b>Winner:</b> Cub Swanson<br><b>Who He Should Fight Next: </b>Winner of Jose Aldo vs. Chad Mendes at UFC 176<br><b>Why They Should Fight: </b>He deserves it, plain and simple.</p>
<p>But it's not like shelving "Cub" and making him face someone like Chan Sung Jung or Frankie Edgar (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.mmamania.com/2014/6/28/5853514/ufc-odds-betting-lines-frankie-edgar-1050-favorite-over-bj-penn-tuf-19-finale-mma">if he wins against BJ Penn</a>) would surprise anyone. He's on one hell of a roll as of late, but since the promotion has stayed tight lipped about his title shot, he's not exactly guaranteed the bout against <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mmamania.com/2014/6/7/5789228/latest-ufc-176-fight-card-rumors-updates-aldo-vs-mendes-2-aug-2-los-angeles-mma">Aldo or Mendes</a>.</p>
<p>Having said that, the winner of six straight fights deserves it, and facing Aldo for a second time could be more enticing for him, since he'll want to get revenge for the seven-second knockout loss he suffered back in 2009. A bout against Mendes would be equally as fun, since the striking battles could be pretty intriguing in their potential rematch from WEC 50.</p>
<p>Let's just see how it all unfolds <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mmamania.com/2014/6/29/5854208/cub-swanson-beg-ufc-title-shot-jose-aldo-vs-chad-mendes-winner">without having to beg for it</a>.</p>
<p><b>For extensive coverage of both UFC Fight Night 43 & 44, click <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mmamania.com/2014/6/28/5851508/live-stream-ufc-fight-night-43-online-results-recaps-videos-tehuna-marquardt-auckland-new-zealand">here</a> and <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mmamania.com/2014/6/28/5853802/live-stream-ufc-fight-night-44-swanson-stephens-online-results-recaps-videos-fox-sports-1-mma">here</a>. </b></p>
https://www.mmamania.com/2014/6/29/5854578/ufc-fight-night-results-next-matches-make-main-card-winners-auckland-san-antonio-mmaAlex Giardini2014-06-29T19:00:04-04:002014-06-29T19:00:04-04:00Video: Watch Lamas Dump & Hump Dias In San Antonio
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<figcaption>Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Okay, so it probably wasn't the most exciting main card fight to go down on FOX Sports 1 last Saturday night (June 28, 2014), but if you're interested in seeing how Ricardo Lamas overcame a very game Hacran Dias at UFC Fight Night 44 in San Antonio, Texas, check out their fight video highlights above, then head on over to our fight recap and analysis <a href="http://www.mmamania.com/2014/6/29/5853956/ufc-fight-night-44-results-recap-ricardo-lamas-vs-hacran-dias-fight-review-san-antonio">right here</a>. For more results and fallout from "Swanson vs. Stephens" click <a href="http://www.mmamania.com/2014/6/29/5853858/cub-swanson-vs-jeremy-stephens-full-fight-results-ufc-fight-night-44-live-stream-updates-mma">here</a>.</p>
https://www.mmamania.com/2014/6/29/5855328/ufc-fight-night-44-results-ricardo-lamas-vs-hacran-dias-full-fight-video-highlights-mmaJesse Holland2014-06-29T18:00:03-04:002014-06-29T18:00:03-04:00Korean Zombie Calls Out Cub Swanson: Fight Me!
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<figcaption>Rafael Suanes-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>Consider the gauntlet thrown down.</p> <p>Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) featherweight contender Cub Swanson is <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mmamania.com/2014/6/29/5854208/cub-swanson-beg-ufc-title-shot-jose-aldo-vs-chad-mendes-winner">not going to start begging for title shots</a> following his five-round win over Jeremy Stephens last Saturday night (June 28, 2014) in the main event of UFC Fight Night 44 (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.mmamania.com/2014/6/29/5854164/cub-swanson-vs-jeremy-stephens-full-fight-video-highlights-ufc-fight-night-44">replay</a>).</p>
<p>That's just fine with Chan Sung Jung.</p>
<p>"The Korean Zombie" rose from his digital grave in the wake of the FOX Sports 1 festivities, <strike>asking</strike> telling Swanson to step up and prove his mettle in a 145-pound showdown later this year.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p><a href="https://twitter.com/CubSwanson">@CubSwanson</a> Fight me.</p>
— Chan Sung Jung (@KoreanZombieMMA) <a href="https://twitter.com/KoreanZombieMMA/statuses/483121870951043072">June 29, 2014</a>
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<p>Will he accept?</p>
<p>As it stands, Swanson is <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mmamania.com/2014/6/16/5815330/official-ufc-rankings-updated-after-ufc-174-andrei-arlovski-tyron-woodley-mma">ranked No. 4</a> in the featherweight division while Jung is <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mmamania.com/2014/6/16/5815330/official-ufc-rankings-updated-after-ufc-174-andrei-arlovski-tyron-woodley-mma">hot on his tail at No. 5</a>. The crafty South Korean hasn't been seen since getting smoked by Jose Aldo in late 2013, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mmamania.com/2013/9/29/4783992/korean-zombie-chan-sung-jung-talks-shoulder-injury-and-aldo-loss">thanks to an injury</a>, which was followed by his <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mmamania.com/2014/3/10/5490678/pic-korean-zombie-getting-married-in-ufc-gloves">UFC-branded wedding</a>.</p>
<p>It appears he's ready to jump back into the fray ... but is he biting off more than he can chew?</p>
https://www.mmamania.com/2014/6/29/5855056/korean-zombie-calls-out-cub-swanson-ufc-fight-night-44-mmaJesse Holland2014-06-29T17:00:03-04:002014-06-29T17:00:03-04:00Bloodbath! Watch Ferreira Cramp Craig In Texas
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<p>Cezar Ferreira is back in the win column at the expense of Andrew Craig, after their bloody, three-round battle at UFC Fight Night 44: "Swanson vs. Stephens" on FOX Sports 1 last Saturday night (June 28, 2014) in San Antonio, Texas (<a href="http://www.mmamania.com/2014/6/29/5830948/ufc-fight-night-44-post-fight-press-conference-live-stream-video-swanson-stephens-dana-white">recap</a>). "Mutante" improves to 4-1 since graduating from The Ultimate Fighter (TUF): "Brazil" and already has his sights set on a CB Dollaway rematch. For more results and fallout from UFC Fight Night 44 click <a href="http://www.mmamania.com/2014/6/29/5853858/cub-swanson-vs-jeremy-stephens-full-fight-results-ufc-fight-night-44-live-stream-updates-mma">here</a>.</p>
https://www.mmamania.com/2014/6/29/5855282/ufc-fight-night-44-results-cezar-ferreira-vs-andrew-craig-full-fight-video-highlights-mmaJesse Holland2014-06-29T15:00:02-04:002014-06-29T15:00:02-04:00Highlights! Gastelum Masters Musoke In FS1 Co-Main
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<p>Despite a rocky start to their welterweight (<a href="http://www.mmamania.com/2014/6/27/5851160/kelvin-gastelum-missed-weight-ufc-fight-night-44-nico-musoke-mma">kinda/sorta</a>) showdown in "The Lone Star State," Kelvin Gastelum battled back in the second and third rounds to capture a unanimous decision win over Nicholas Musoke in the co-main event of UFC Fight Night 44 (<a href="http://www.mmamania.com/2014/6/29/5854154/ufc-fight-night-44-results-recap-kelvin-gastelum-vs-nicholas-musoke-san-antonio-mma">recap</a>), which took place last Saturday night (June 28, 2014) on FOX Sports 1 from inside the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. For full results and fallout from the "Swanson vs. Stephens" event click <a href="http://www.mmamania.com/2014/6/29/5853858/cub-swanson-vs-jeremy-stephens-full-fight-results-ufc-fight-night-44-live-stream-updates-mma">here</a>.</p>
https://www.mmamania.com/2014/6/29/5855034/ufc-fight-night-44-results-kelvin-gastelum-vs-nico-musoke-full-fight-video-highlights-mmaJesse Holland2014-06-29T14:08:08-04:002014-06-29T14:08:08-04:00What's Next For Cub Swanson?
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<p>After Cub Swanson's big victory over Jeremy Stephens last night (Sat., June 28, 2014) at UFC Fight Night 44: "Swanson vs. Stephens," we assess what fight could be next for the Greg Jackson-trained product. Has "Cub" earned a shot at the featherweight strap? Check it out below.</p> <p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.mmamania.com/2014/6/29/5854208/cub-swanson-beg-ufc-title-shot-jose-aldo-vs-chad-mendes-winner">Ain't too proud to beg</a>?</p>
<p>It's difficult to bounce back and turn your career around in the sporting world after you've been down more often than not.</p>
<p>Combat sports aren't too kind to the body, alongside the mental and psychological preparations one must go through. It's one thing to be an aging combatant, past your prime with the glory days behind you, but for a young fighter who hasn't even reached his peek, it's tough to say if the athlete in question will ever get there.</p>
<p>With that being said, Cub Swanson must be glowing right now.</p>
<p>Here's someone who never really stood out in World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC), except for his crushing seven-second loss to Jose Aldo, courtesy of a double flying knee. He also lost to Chad Mendes and the legendary Jens Pulver in the promotion, proving those competitors were a notch above "Cub."</p>
<p>His Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) career didn't begin too smoothly either, losing to Ricardo Lamas in 2011 via arm-triangle choke. Swanson wasn't terrible, but he simply couldn't be regarded as one of the best featherweight fighters out there.</p>
<p>Something must have went off in his head, because approximately two months later, he took out his frustrations on George Roop at UFC on FOX 2, followed by another technical knockout victory over Ross Pearson at UFC on FX 4.</p>
<p>Then, all hell broke loose.</p>
<p>He flattened Charles Oliveira at UFC 152 in the first round, crushing the Brazilian with a massive punch, and then outmatched Dustin Poirier and Dennis Siver in 2013.</p>
<p>This past weekend saw <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mmamania.com/2014/6/29/5854136/ufc-fight-night-44-results-recap-cub-swanson-vs-jeremy-stephens-fight-san-antonio-mma">Swanson get his sixth consecutive victory</a> at UFC Fight Night 44 from inside AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas, coming back from two difficult rounds to beat Jeremy Stephens by unanimous decision. The fight was highly entertaining, and the Californian proved he could change the tune when the going got tough (watch the highlights <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mmamania.com/2014/6/29/5854164/cub-swanson-vs-jeremy-stephens-full-fight-video-highlights-ufc-fight-night-44">here</a>).</p>
<p>Before their main event, "Lil' Heathen" proclaimed he was told to expect a title shot with a win. Now, that may just be something he invented, because we didn't hear anything about Swanson's possible title fight if he emerged victorious.</p>
<p>With an undefeated streak over the past two and a half years under his belt, it's safe to say Swanson deserves the championship fight.</p>
<p>Other options include Frankie Edgar, who apparently is <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mmamania.com/2014/6/28/5853514/ufc-odds-betting-lines-frankie-edgar-1050-favorite-over-bj-penn-tuf-19-finale-mma">destined to defeat BJ Penn in a week's time</a> at The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 19, or Chan Sung Jung. The promotion hasn't exactly confirmed Swanson's number one contendership, so there's a chance he may be asked to take another fight.</p>
<p>But the main event winner in San Antonio deserves the championship bout, with his win streak alone. He's defeated a number of solid featherweights in the Octagon, and his rejuvenation is simply unfathomable to imagine had you not seen it for yourself.</p>
<p>Plus, it's safe to say rematches against <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mmamania.com/2014/6/7/5789228/latest-ufc-176-fight-card-rumors-updates-aldo-vs-mendes-2-aug-2-los-angeles-mma">Aldo or Mendes </a>would look a hell of a lot different if he were to compete against either of those guys in UFC.</p>
<p>His loss against Aldo can be found on YouTube, and it's quite painful to watch. He literally gets struck with the first blow of the fight, and his eye nearly explodes. He couldn't quite get it together against Mendes, suffering a unanimous decision loss a full year after being ousted by "Scarface."</p>
<p>Ultimately, the promotion must decide who deserves the fight, and something tells me they're waiting for the results of TUF 19 to unfold, since "The Answer" could be given an immediate title shot with a win over BJ Penn.</p>
<p>It seems odd, but seeing how Edgar delivers in the entertainment department when it comes to title fights, along with giving Aldo the stiffest test of the Brazilian's career, it wouldn't surprise me.</p>
<p>In spite of that, six wins should get you a crack at the gold no matter which division you compete in, and if the organization prides itself on making the fights fans want to see, they should own up and book the contest that makes the most sense right now.</p>
<p>But then again, beggars can't be choosers.</p>
<p><b>For extensive UFC Fight Night 44: "Swanson vs. Stephens" coverage, including results, post-fight recaps, and more, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mmamania.com/2014/6/28/5853802/live-stream-ufc-fight-night-44-swanson-stephens-online-results-recaps-videos-fox-sports-1-mma">click here</a>. </b></p>
https://www.mmamania.com/2014/6/29/5854750/ufc-fight-night-44-results-recap-whats-next-fight-for-cub-swanson-mmaAlex Giardini