Fibo pushed for a showdown against Swanson to celebrate the 20th anniversary of his career

UFC China - UFC Hall of Famer Urijah Faber, although he has shifted his focus to boxing gyms and families, he still hopes that his 43rd birthday will be more meaningful.

Cub Swanson recently petitioned online, hoping that the UFC would launch the "WEC Honorary Title" to let the former WEC veterans compete. Fibo supported the proposal, replying to Swanson: "I fully accept it, and now it is up to UFC Chairman Dana White to agree." ”

As for whether this potential duel between himself and Swanson will materialize, Fibo said: "I told Bethana that I will turn 43 in May and this year will also be the 20th anniversary of my career. Dollars aren't as valuable as they were in the previous two years, so I hope to play it again. And Bai Dana's reply was, 'This is crazy, it doesn't look like a negotiation at all, I think it's just the players' self-congratulations.' ’”

"I was ready to return to the field before the outbreak and I had planned to participate in a jiu-jitsu competition in Mexico. But with the advent of the pandemic, I had to run Team Alpha Male to survive. I've always wanted to get back to my best form of play, and no matter what I look like right now, I believe I can be in a better shape than ever, but I've never had the chance to do that. ”

Although Fibo and Swanson have been playing together at WEC and UFC for many years, they have never played each other due to their different weights. Fibo revealed that before joining WEC, King of the Cage had funded a duel between the two in California, but because the MMA movement was still not legally recognized in the local area at that time, the match was ultimately lost.

"He was trying to make himself famous, his career had only just started and I think it was he who turned down the game and I had no idea who this guy was at the time. I'm glad he turned me down because he only paid a few hundred dollars for his appearance at the time, and I probably only got $1,000. ”

Although they have not played each other, Fibo and Swanson have been top players in the smallweight throughout their careers, with Fibo winning the WEC featherweight title and challenging the UFC welterweight title four times, while Swanson became the number one champion challenger several times. Just last December, Swanson ko-beat Fibo's longtime training partner Darren Elkins.

"I like Swanson very much, he's a mature guy and a good fighter. I'd rather compete with him at 38 than at 43, but it's going to be a fun showdown anyway. I'm always looking for something interesting when my birthday comes, which is why I stay in shape and what motivates me to keep going. ”

"I've always wanted to play for years, but I value experience and experience very much. Rather than playing in a quiet, unmanned gymnasium, I prefer to play in a stadium full of spectators. I hope to play one before May so I can watch this game with my son on my birthday. ”

In his 20-year career as a professional MMA, Fibo has played 47 games, but he's not ready to retire completely. Although Fibo announced his retirement in 2016, he only lasted more than two years, returning in 2019 and playing against Ricky Simon and Petr Yan in a row. Fibo said his comeback was because he wanted to keep having fun and remind people that he could still compete with the world's top players.

"I want a paid birthday present because it makes me feel like I'm still on top of the world." (UFC China Dana)

Past interviews

Directed by Li Ke

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