UFC president Dana White recently spoke exclusively with Fox Sports and confirmed that no.1 ranked featherweight contender Cub Swanson (pictured) will finally be granted a shot at Jose Aldo and the UFC featherweight championship should he defeat Frankie Edgar at UFC Fight Night on November 22.
It had been widely discussed that self proclaimed ‘king’ Conor McGregor may be handed the shot ahead of Swanson with the no. 5 ranked Irishman rapidly growing to become one of the promotion’s biggest stars. With four consecutive victories in the UFC, McGregor (16-2) will face Germany’s Dennis Siver (22-9-1NC) at UFC Fight Night in Boston, Massachusetts on January 18.
White suggested; “If he (McGregor) wins that fight in Boston, we could be talking about a big fight with Jose Aldo.”
However, the UFC head went on to reveal that top contender Swanson (21-5) will finally be declared as the rightful contender if he defeats former lightweight champion Frankie Edgar (17-4-1).
“Cub Swanson has been screaming for respect, and for us to show him the love,” explained White. “If Cub Swanson wins this fight, we did tell him we would give him a title shot.”
31-year-old Swanson is on a six-fight tear consisting of four knockouts, and two unanimous decision wins. The Californian suffered a devastating loss to Aldo under the WEC banner 2009, but has evolved to become the featherweight division’s top contender with Aldo being the only man above him.
In contrast, former 155lb champ Frankie Edgar is on a two-fight win streak with victories over Charles Oliveira, and most recently B.J. Penn. Edagr challenged Aldo for the Brazilian’s 145lb title last year, but lost a unanimous decision.
UFC Fight Night: Edgar vs. Swanson takes place on November 22 at the Frank Erwin Center in Austin, Texas.
