TLDR
- Cub Swanson defeated Nate Landwehr via first-round TKO at 4:06 at UFC 327 in Miami
- The 42-year-old immediately retired after the fight, laying his gloves in the octagon
- Swanson finishes his career 31-14 overall with 16 UFC featherweight wins, third-most in history
- He was the last remaining WEC veteran on the UFC roster, ending that era completely
- Swanson’s career spanned over 20 years from 2004 to 2026 with wins over future champions Oliveira and Poirier
Sources: Yahoo Sports | MMA Junkie | thepress.net | LowKickMMA.com
Cub Swanson walked away from mixed martial arts with a victory Saturday night. The 42-year-old featherweight knocked out Nate Landwehr in the first round at UFC 327 in Miami.
The stoppage came at 4:06 of round one after referee Herb Dean stepped in to halt the fight. Swanson dropped Landwehr multiple times with punches before landing a final combination of an overhand right and uppercut that ended the contest.
Swanson immediately signaled for his glove tape to be cut after the finish. He laid his gloves in the center of the octagon before the official decision was even announced.
Career Spanning Over Two Decades
Swanson began his professional MMA career in 2004. He joined the UFC in 2010 after fighting in World Extreme Cagefighting.
The victory gave Swanson a final record of 31-14 overall. He finished his UFC career with 16 wins at featherweight, which ranks third in history behind Max Holloway with 20 and Darren Elkins with 18.
CUB SWANSON KNOCKS OUT NATE LANDWEHR!!!
IN HIS RETIREMENT FIGHT 🔥 #UFC327 pic.twitter.com/FrMygg8aWK
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) April 12, 2026
Swanson’s wife Kendra and three children watched from inside the cage as the UFC played a prepared tribute video. He became emotional during his post-fight interview.
“I’ve been doing this a long time,” Swanson said. “I’m terrified every time I come out here, but I try to be brave and just focus. I was so proud I was able to accomplish that tonight.”
Swanson never won a UFC championship during his career. However, he headlined several UFC events and earned a reputation for exciting fights.
Last WEC Veteran Leaves UFC
His most famous bout came against Doo Ho Choi, which is already in the UFC Hall of Fame’s fight wing. He also defeated future champions Charles Oliveira and Dustin Poirier during his career, along with Jeremy Stephens.
Swanson had hinted at retirement before but made it official Saturday night. His previous fight was a knockout win over Billy Quarantillo in late 2024.
Landwehr fell to 18-8 overall and 5-8 in the UFC with the loss. The Tennessee fighter was overmatched from the start as Swanson landed headshots repeatedly.
Swanson also secured a takedown during the fight that tied him for second-most in UFC featherweight history. But it was his striking that dominated the short bout.
The fight opened the main card at the Kaseya Center in Miami. Swanson leaves the UFC as the last remaining fighter from the WEC organization on the roster.
World Extreme Cagefighting merged with the UFC in 2010. Swanson’s retirement closes the book on that era of MMA completely.
Swanson finishes his UFC tenure with a 16-10 record inside the octagon. His professional career lasted over 20 years from 2004 to 2026.
