Doo For A Rematch: After UFC Tampa Callout, It’s Time For Cub Swanson vs. Doo Ho Choi 2

By Adam Martin

Back at UFC 206 in December 2016 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Cub Swanson and Doo Ho Choi engaged in one of the greatest fights in UFC history. The two featherweights stood in the center of the Octagon for 15 minutes throwing caution to the wind and giving the crowd everything they could ask for. At the end of three rounds, Swanson was awarded a unanimous decision victory, but there were no losers in that fight. It was an epic fight for both men.

I was personally lucky enough to be in attendance for that fight and it was truly special. I’ve seen a lot of fights in person, and the crowd for that particular fight was one of the loudest I’ve ever heard. Both men gave everything they could for the crowd’s enjoyment. It was the stuff of legend. And now, three years later, it seems like there’s a chance we could see a rematch between the two. We have to.

After defeating Kron Gracie at UFC Tampa this past Saturday night to snap his four-fight losing skid, Swanson told reporters backstage that he was interested in a rematch with Choi. Although Choi hasn’t fought since January 2018, when he suffered a TKO loss to Jeremy Stephens, Swanson says he wants to give the fans a fight they want. And this is a fight they want to see. On Monday morning, Choi took to his social media to accept Swanson’s offer of a rematch. He said he has deep respect for Swanson, and like his rival, wants to give the fans a fight that they can appreciate. It seems like both men are all-in for it.

Now you might say it’s surprising Swanson put the offer of a rematch out there when Choi hasn’t actually won a fight in three years. After all, Swanson himself just snapped a nasty losing skid, so he knows exactly the spot that Choi’s in right now. So you’d think that Swanson would want to fight someone coming off of a win. But then again, Swanson vs. Choi is guaranteed bonus money for both men, and it’s a fight that Swanson previously won. So although on some levels it’s a fight that might not make much sense for Swanson to take, on other levels it’s a fight that absolutely makes sense.

The UFC is all about booking the best fights possible, and the rematch between Swanson and Choi is a great fight. The first match between these two was the stuff of legends, and even though it’s three years later now, the rematch should be just as good. Swanson deserves the fight that he wants at this point of his career, and Choi has happily obliged him. This is an easy call by the UFC matchmakers. Book Swanson vs. Choi 2, sit back, and enjoy the fireworks.