In a recent interview with Kelvin Hunt at MMAforReal.com, UFC welterweight Mike Swick discussed his upcoming fight and hopes for a “Quick” title shot.
Swick has an upcoming fight this June at UFC 99 against Ben Saunders and hopes a victory there will put him over the top and earn him that No. 1 contender spot.
Kelvin Hunt- You’ll be fighting Ben Saunders at UFC 99 in what should be an exciting fight since both of you guys usually come to fight. He’s a pretty big guy and does he bring anything to the table that could present problems for you?
Mike Swick- Yes, I think it will be very exciting! He is a tough opponent who is scrappy and likes to clinch and bang. I definitely will want to bang so it should be good!
Kelvin Hunt-You’ve put together 3 wins in a row since moving down to 170.
Most people have you right outside the top ten in the division, and some have you just inside the top ten. Your two AKA teammates are ranked higher with Fitch as the #3 and Koshcheck between #4 and #7 by most depending on who you ask.
I know you are not looking past Ben Saunders at UFC 99. However, do you think it’s fair to say that you should have to fight and beat at least one of your AKA teammates on your path towards earning a title shot in the welterweight division?
Mike Swick- I just fight who they tell me. Ben’s name came up as an available opponent and I said ok. I think an exciting win in Germany will grant me a title shot. At least, thats what I hope.
Personally, I’m not sure why Swick would even consider himself in the running for a shot at the title at this point.
Since losing his last fight at middleweight to Yushin Okami, swick has defeated Josh Burkman, Marcus Davis and Jonathan Goulet in his three fights at welterweight.
Of that group only Davis is of note as both Burkman and Goulet are no longer with the promotion. Also, as was stated in the interview question, both Jon Fitch and Josh Koscheck are easily more deserving of a title shot than is Swick.
There is nothing wrong with dreaming big and having high hopes, but let’s be a bit realistic here.
So that brings up the question, how far away is Mike Swick from getting a title shot? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
Loading ...
Caesar Gracie
John
Yael Grauer
Dale
Tyler Johnson
felo
Mike
Tony
Shawn
Ben Cartlidge
but jon fitch and josh koscheck have lost to gsp and kosceck recently got koed,so why not who else is there?isnt that how thales leites got his title shot?
thats the question really. I personally don’t think he’s close to next in line.
I’d give Fitch, Koscheck, and probably Martin Kampmann a shot first. Granted GSP already beat Fitch and Kos so maybe they want to give him some “new blood”
But do you think Swick would stand a chance against GSP or even Alves for that matter?
its kinda late but,i dont think he has a chance but u never know.
So Kyle MAynard lost him MMA debut. I didnt actually see the fight but from what i read, Fry danced around punching him in the face while Maynard scrambled on all fours trying to take him down. Obviously when hes moving on all fours he has no way to defend himself.
Although he managed to go the distance with Fry and he came out without injury i dont think he would have any different result fighting MMA again, theres no point in my opinion.
The crowd booed Fry during his walk to the ring, during his introduction, during his 30-27 decision victory and all the way back to the locker room. That sucks man, but what did anyone expect? no win situation.
yeah i gotta give props to Kyle for being able take a punch in the face but i dont think people needed to see it. buddy getting booed is the worst part of the whole thing, i commend the guy for even taking the fight but i would take his spot for all the money in the world. hopefully Maynard takes this as a great experience and moves on to something else, because like you said i doubt he will ever see a different result fighting in MMA again.
Thanks for linking Dr. J. Had this been a phone interview instead of email. I would have followed up with another question…the same can be said for him dodging me asking him about beating either Koscheck or Fitch to earn a title shot.
IMO. He clearly needs to beat one of them to earn a title shot. No way does an even exciting win over Saunders give him a right at the champ.
you gotta be kiddin me..