UFC featherweight Cub Swanson hasn’t fought since last year, and after tearing the ACL and meniscus in his left knee he’s still months away from a return to the Octagon.
But fight fans can watch the Coachella Valley native fight this week on Netflix.
Swanson made a guest appearance years ago on the DirecTV mixed martial arts drama ‘Kingdom’ in 2014. The series concluded in 2017, after three seasons. Reruns debut Wednesday on the Netflix on-demand streaming service.
In the first episode of the series, Swanson squares off against pop star turned actor Nick Jonas of the Jonas Brothers. Swanson and Jonas became friends after their experience working together, and Swanson secured some concert tickets and backstage passes for his sister the next time the Jonas Brothers toured through Southern California.
“I think that cemented me as her favorite brother,” joked Swanson.
Swanson, 36, looks back at that point in his MMA career as a time when he could take risks and not worry too much about any potential consequences. He’s now navigating through a much different part of his fight career.
Swanson’s injury came in December in Las Vegas, when at the Quintet Ultra grappling event he severely injured his leg fighting Jake Shields, who had roughly 25 pounds on Swanson.
Following surgery, Swanson began rehabilitation, which was affected by the ongoing pandemic. Physical therapy and training opportunities were complicated as non-essential businesses shut down for months in California.
Despite it all, Swanson says he’s still on track to be physically ready to fight again toward the end of the year. He says that he’s being especially careful, though, because at this stage in his career he cannot afford a major physical setback.
“This is not one I’m willing to re-injure,” Swanson said. “If I re-injure this, then maybe it’s time to start thinking about not doing this anymore.”
So, Swanson said he’s careful not to push his body too hard before it’s ready. He’s training five days a week and has the strength back on his left leg, but he still cannot sprint and he doesn’t have his full range of movement back in his left knee.
Because of that, there’s still some instability in his left leg, Swanson said, and it has become swollen at times. It reminds him what he can and cannot do at this point in his rehabilitation.
“I feel like I’m ahead of schedule on some things,” Swanson said, “but still not there on others.”
Swanson has broken bones all over his body, including his jaw and has had to have it wired shut more than once. Those things usually take 2-3 months to heal and then it’s over.
Swanson said that his knee injury has challenged him in ways that those other ailments haven’t. It’s going to be a full 12-month rehabilitation, he said.
He said he may catch a glimpse of his younger, riskier self on ‘Kingdom’ this week, while keeping in mind the importance of viewing his career like the stock market. The older you get, the more conservative you should probably become with your investments because now there’s a lot more to lose.
“I’m still aiming to be ready to fight again at the end of the year or early next year,” Swanson said. “But I’m going to be careful about how I prepare myself.”
Andrew John covers sports for The Desert Sun and the USA TODAY Network. Find him on Twitter: @Andrew_L_John. Email him at andrew.john@desertsun.com.
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UFC's Cub Swanson still aiming for end-of-year return while rehabbing left knee - Desert Sun
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