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Who wins the Cub Swanson vs. Max Holloway bout at UFC on Fox 15, and how?
DAYNE FOX, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR
This one isn't easy to pick. Swanson has been around a long time and looked as though he might be in decline against Frankie Edgar. Then again, he was fighting Frankie Edgar. Holloway on the other hand has undeniably been ascending. But Swanson is no Cole Miller.
I've had a history of picking against Swanson with it coming back against me. He seemed to have the right attitude after the Edgar bout, stating that Edgar showed him some things he needs to work on rather than making excuses. As a result I'll put some good faith in him. I anticipate it being a striking affair, but Swanson will mix in enough takedowns to get the judges nod with little if any controversy in a fight of the night contender.
FRANK HYDEN, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR
I think Swanson comes out ready to make a statement after being dominated by Frankie Edgar, and I think he stops Holloway by TKO in the third round. Holloway is tough, but Swanson will be looking to redeem himself. This could very easily be the best fight of the night.
BRAD WALKER, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR
I think we see a striking war that is ultimately won by Swanson. Even if he has changed his game plan coming off of a beating he will always possess that intense one punch power that should terrify opponents. He's got this in the bag; Holloway could get a nice upset here and slide into the title picture, but his path to victory is a lot more difficult than Swansons.
KALE HAVERVOLD, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR
I think that Holloway will surprise a lot of people and emerge victorious in this fight. I think he'll win by TKO or submission.
TOM STRONG, MMATORCH UK CONTRIBUTOR
This fight really does depend on how much the defeat to Frankie Edgar has taken out of Swanson. It wasn't just any defeat, it was a grueling, five round, one-sided beat down that Edgar gave Swanson before he locked in a very late submission win. If he can put that behind him, which I expect him to do, he should have enough to get past Holloway, though if he's feeling any effects from that defeat the upset could very much be on the cards!
It's easy to forgot Holloway is only 23 years of age; he's already racked up 15 professional fights and has only been stopped once. Even the great that is 'Conor McGregor' couldn't back his talk up and stop Holloway inside the distance. Prior to the Edgar fight I'd be giving Holloway even less of a chance than I do now, but Holloway is on a five fight march, finishing four of the five inside the distance since his defeat to Conor McGregor. He's also taken massive strides up the featherweight division and looked very impressive in all of his victories. There's a but, and a big but, Cub Swanson is better than the fighters Holloway's previously beaten by some margin, and he's also better than the fighters that have defeated Holloway as well.
If Holloway can get the fight to the mat he might just stand a chance of pulling off a victory, though at some point he will engage into a stand up battle with Swanson which will be his undoing. It might not be Holloway's time come Saturday night, but the time will eventually come for him to fight for title.
Prediction: Swanson TKO RD2.
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