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Where does Cub Swanson sit in the suddenly packed UFC featherweight division? Who should he fight next?
JASON AMADI, MMATORCH COLUMNIST
Cub Swanson occupies a very strange place at 145. He's clearly a cut above middle of the pack featherweights, but he's lost to Jose Aldo, he's lost to Chad Mendes, and he's lost to Ricardo Lamas.
He's definitely gotten better at what he's good at, but he hasnt shown me anything to make me believe that rematches with any of those three would go any differently.
FRANK HYDEN, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR
I think Swanson should fight Chan Sung Jung and the winner of that receives a title shot after Ricardo Lamas gets a shot. Lamas has already beaten Swanson recently so I think Swanson vs. Zombie makes a bit more sense. I think both of those guys deserve a chance to earn a title shot. I think Swanson is poised to compete for the title.
BRAD WALKER, MMATORCH COLUMNIST
Cub Swanson should go up against Frankie Edgar next. Swanson is heading to the top like a cannonball and he needs one big win to get that title fight. His constant evolution and insane striking have made him dangerous not only to the less than elite guys but he will prove to be troublesome for the top 10 guys, as he showed against Poirier. If he can fight and beat Edgar he's a shoe in for a title shot, if Edgar wins, same goes.
TONY BECERRA, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR
Cub Swanson looked impressive Saturday night and is definitely "in the mix" as a potential title contender. As far as his next opponent... with Anthony Pettis set to fight Jose Aldo in August, Jung or a rematch with Chad Mendes would be a good fight for him.
ERIC HOBAUGH, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR
He is in my top 15 for sure, but he needs two more wins before he should be considered for another title shot. He should be given another top ten fighter and be given the chance to win his way back into title contention. I would love to see him fight Clay Guida or Dennis Siver in his next fight.
ANWAR PEREZ, MMATORCH COLUMNIST
Cub Swanson has definitely made a name for himself as a top contender to Jose Aldo's featherweight title. I can see Swanson take a fight against the champ, and there might be no one else for Aldo himself to fight, but a true test would be against a former contender, or someone like Frankie Edgar (a former contender AND champion) to see if Swanson is the real deal.
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
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