Cub Swanson (25-7-0) earned a dominant unanimous decision victory over Artem Lobov (14-13-1) in the main event of UFC Fight Night 108 at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville Saturday evening.
Both fighters landed early on in the fight, but Swanson, armed with a 5-inch reach advantage, used his footwork, ground game and clinch advantage to repeatedly get the better of the many exchanges in the fight. Swanson landed 209 significant strikes, the most ever in a UFC featherweight fight.
Title fight!@CubSwanson wants the winner of @JoseAldoJunior vs @BlessedMMA after his win last night #UFCNashville pic.twitter.com/poG1yI3JZK
— UFC (@ufc) April 24, 2017
Lobov valiantly searched to land his power shots, and defended well on the ground but was reduced to headhunting.
Thank you all for your support, I love you all!!! Congrats @CubSwanson it was an honour to share the octagon with you!
— Artem Lobov (@RusHammerMMA) April 23, 2017
The judges scored it 49-46, 49-46, and 50-45.
Swanson and Lobov earned Fight-of-the-Night honours, while Mike Perry and Brandon Moreno earned performances of the night. Each fighter earned a $50,000 USD bonus.
Kenai Andrews checks in with his thoughts.
In case you missed the prelims:
HECTOR SANDOVAL DEF MATT SCHNELL VIA TKO R1 4:24
BRYAN BARBERENA DEF JOE PROCTOR VIA TKO R1 3:30
ALEXIS DAVIS DEF CINDY DANDOIS VIA UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
DANIELLE TAYLOR DEF JESSICA PENNE VIA UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
SCOTT HOLTZMAN DEF MICHAEL MCBRIDE VIA UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
BRANDON MORENO DEF DUSTIN ORTIZ VIA TECH SUBMISSION R2 4:06
THALES LEITES DEF SAM ALVEY VIA UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
TSN 5 MAIN CARD
#13 JAKE ELLENBERGER (31-12-0) VS MIKE PERRY (9-1-0)
OHHHHHHH MYYYYYY @PlatinumPerry THAT'S SOME SERIOUS POWER!!! #UFCNashville pic.twitter.com/VUalfYW2HD
— UFC (@ufc) April 23, 2017
WINNER: MIKE PERRY VIA TKO R2 1:05
ANDREWS PREDICTION: MIKE PERRY VIA TKO
Andrews: Perry was prepared for the wrestling of Ellenberger and went for it in the second round. Good win for Perry.
JOE LAUZON VS STEVIE RAY
WHAT A CRAZY END TO THIS FIGHT!!! #UFCNashville pic.twitter.com/9iTzqxGbk7
— UFC (@ufc) April 23, 2017
WINNER: STEVIE RAY VIA MAJORITY DECISION (28-27, 29-27, 28-28)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: JOE LAUZON VIA UD
Andrews: I thought Lauzon won the fight with the strong first round. Joe gassed in the last round, which allowed Ray to catch up, but still should have gotten the W.
#7 JOHN DODSON VS #10 EDDIE WINELAND
Head kick lands for @JohnDodsonMMA but @EddieWineland just EATS IT! #UFCNashville pic.twitter.com/kMYag3PDTr
— UFC (@ufc) April 23, 2017
WINNER: JOHN DODSON VIA UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: JOHN DODSON VIA UD
Andrews: Dodson’s speed and grappling did indeed nullify the knockout power of Wineland. Good win for The Magician.
#8 OVINCE ST. PREUX VS MARCOS ROGERIO DE LIMA
You down w/ OSP?! @003_OSP gets it done in front of the home crowd at #UFCNashville!!! pic.twitter.com/6jvcPii2MQ
— UFC (@ufc) April 23, 2017
WINNER: OVINCE ST. PREUX VIA SUBMISSION R2 2:11
ANDREWS PREDICTION: OVINCE ST. PREUX VIA UD
Andrews: Finally! An engaged OSP showed up and punished de Lima for missing weight. Now, he has to keep this going.
#14 AL IAQUINTA VS DIEGO SANCHEZ
OHHHHH @AlIaquinta drops Sanchez, then finishes him off!!! WHAT. A. RETURN. #UFCNashville pic.twitter.com/sEhHTmCUpR
— UFC (@ufc) April 23, 2017
WINNER: AL IAQUINTA VIA KO R1 1:38
ANDREWS PREDICTION: AL IAQUINTA VIA TKO
Andrews: A vicious KO by Iaquinta to one of the most vicious guys ever in the division. I think it’s time for The Nightmare to call it a career.
MAIN EVENT
#4 CUB SWANSON VS ARTEM LOBOV
Both men in the main event spoke after @CubSwanson defeated @RusHammerMMA ⬇️ #UFCNashville pic.twitter.com/c7cWCswvV2
— UFC (@ufc) April 23, 2017
WINNER: CUB SWANSON VIA UD (49-46, 49-46, 50-45)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: CUB SWANSON VIA TKO
Andrews: Swanson tried his best to put Lobov away, but he showed his toughness. Good technical performance by Swanson and what toughness displayed by Lobov.
