If there are two terms to describe Cub Swanson, they’d probably be ‘legend’ and ‘future Hall of Famer’. ‘Killer’ has been in the world’s premier MMA promotion for 13 years, having made his debut in 2011, against Ricardo Lamas, accumulating a promotional record of 14-10. Of course, that record is nothing to boast about with 10 promotional losses, but the wars that Swanson has been in are a testament to his grit and fighting spirit inside the Octagon. After all, who could forget his slugfests with Korean finisher Doo-Ho Choi and Artem Lobov?

It seems like the fighter with 43 fights under his belt, with 17 finishes isn’t done fighting, as he will take on the dangerous Billy Quarantillo at UFC Tampa. Although both fighters are equally matched, ‘Billy Q’ has the advantage of being the younger fighter in the bout. Still, this doesn’t reduce Swanson’s chances of pulling off a win, given his fan-friendly fighting style. But what has shaped Cub Swanson into the fighter he is today? That’s exactly what we’re here to find out.

Cub Swanson’s parents

Kevin Luke ‘Cub’ Swanson was born to a father of Swedish descent and a mother of Mexican heritage. His toughness was shaped by early adversity, the first being losing his father to melanoma when he was just three months old. His mother, overcome by grief, struggled with addiction, leaving his four siblings to be adopted by their father’s cousin. After his adoptive parents divorced when he was 14, ‘Killer’ found himself involved in local gangs and anti-social activities. After being arrested for burglary along with a friend, Cub Swanson spent three years in a juvenile detention center. It wasn’t until he met MMA legend Joe ‘Daddy’ Stevenson at age 19, that Swanson found his true calling. The rest, as they say, was history, still being written.

Despite these early challenges, Swanson’s determination to overcome his circumstances fueled his drive to succeed and push forward in life. Swanson’s relationship with his single parent was complex. While his mother’s battles with addiction created a difficult environment, Swanson never lost sight of the love and respect he had for her. Growing up in this turbulent environment, Swanson found solace in sports, which eventually led him to martial arts.

His passion for fighting became not just a way to escape but a means of channeling his pain into something productive. But just like most UFC fighters Swanson never had a smooth upbringing. Not only did he have to deal with the loss of his parents but also had a phase when he became rebellious. What kind of problems did he face in his childhood? Let us find out about it below.

Cub Swanson’s troubled childhood

Upon reaching high school, Cub Swanson’s mother, then sober, regained custody of him. Rather than embracing this new stability, Swanson chose to be a rebel. His lifestyle led to dangerous close encounters, including surviving multiple shootings. One such incident occurred at a party, where two men fired guns over a fence, resulting in six people being injured. Despite these close calls, Swanson’s rebellious phase would shape the person he became later in life. There was also the time Cub Swanson and his brother got into a 1967 Mustang with no seat belts, driven by a man who was under the influence.

Driving at a speed of  75 mph on a residential street, he lost control and drifted onto the center median, resulting in the car rolling half a dozen times. As mentioned above, Swanson’s reckless behavior eventually landed him in a juvenile detention center, which proved to be a blessing in disguise. Swanson used his time in juvie to deeply reflect on his behavior and actions.

After meeting Joe Stevenson, he discovered his love for jiu-jitsu, which later led him to pursue MMA. With a new outlet to channel his excess energy, Swanson set himself on a path to greatness in the fastest-growing sport in the world. Now, all of this is in the past and he is now a changed man.

Cub Swanson is set to return to the Octagon at UFC Fight Night Tampa, where he will face a tough challenge in Billy Quarantillo. Fans are eagerly anticipating his performance, as he looks to continue his journey in the UFC and solidify his legacy in the sport. Will he win his next fight? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.