Swanson and Siver finally collide
January 17, 2013 was a somber day for featherweight fans: UFC UK officials announced Dennis Siver was out against Cub Swanson at UFC On FUEL TV 7, due to unknown injury. Siver, the 34-year-old Russian-born, German-bred powerhouse had been on a two-fight killing spree since dropping from the Lightweight division. In 15 minutes at UFC On FOX 5, Siver recorded a staggering 227 strikes against a supremely capable Nam Phan. It was a dazzling performance that revealed a faster, nimbler, and unrelentingly aggressive fighter at 145lbs. Any lingering doubt about Siver's choice to drop weight officially vanished.
Meanwhile Swanson, no stranger to the featherweight division with 12 bouts between the UFC and WEC, has been enjoying a hot streak of his own. He's left an utter trail of destruction over his past four fights: Most recently, a unanimous decision win over Dustin Poirier, preceded by three straight knockout victories over Charles Oliveira, Ross Pearson, and—of course—this absolute posterization of George Roop.
As fate has it, Swanson and Siver's worlds were meant to collide. And lucky for fight fans, it's just two weeks away at UFC 162.
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