Grappling matchups have become a popular way for mixed martial artists to stay in shape between fights, keep their competitive instincts sharp, stay in the public eye, and make some extra money while they’re at it.
A big part of the appeal is that, on the whole, these competitions are safer than getting into an all-out fight. After all, you’re not going to absorb dozens of strikes to the head while competing on the mats, as you might inside the octagon.
But grappling is still a contact sport which carries risks, and unfortunately, veteran Cub Swanson reminded us all of this the hard way on Thursday night.
Swanson competed in the team-based QUINTET Ultra event in Las Vegas, competing as part of Team WEC. In a matchup with Team Strikeforce’s Jake Shields, Swanson suffered a freak knee injury as the pair became entangled.
Friday, Swanson went on Instagram to report that, in fact, he has a full ACL and meniscus tear in his left knee:
UFC president Dana White, who was present at the QUINTET event, expressed sympathy for Swanson at Friday’s UFC 247 press conference.
“These grappling things for them are supposed to be fun and go out and you have some of the best in the world grappling against each other,” White said. “These are the type of things can happen. That was a really good submission that he had him and his knee popped out. So, he’s getting an MRI today, and we’ll see where it’s at. Hopefully it will be something that just needs some physical therapy and not surgery. I hate it.”
The 36-year-old Swanson has fought under the Zuffa umbrella since 2007, when he debuted in the WEC. The Palm Springs, Calif. native most recently defeated Kron Gracie at UFC Tampa on Oct. 12, where he earned “Fight of the Night” in a unanimous-decision victory, his eighth UFC postfight bonus.
