What's next for Cub Swanson:

Some exciting times ahead for 'Killer' Cub.

After a truely dominant unanimous decision victory over Artem 'The Russian Hammer' Lobov on Saturday night in the main event of UFC Fight Night Nashville, hard hitting Featherweight contender 'Killer' Cub Swanson, firmly inserted himself into title contention. After consecutive submission losses to former Lightweight champ Frankie Edgar and current Interim Featherweight champ Max Holloway, Swanson was paired against Brazil's Hacran Dias, winning a comfortable decision, before again going the distance against Tatsuya Kawajiri, and before his bout against Lobov, featured in the 2016 Fight of the Year alongside youngster Doo Ho Choi. A true back and forth contest displayed arguably the best mixed martial arts contest at 145lbs in recent memory, with Swanson again exiting with the W. So what's next for Cub Swanson?

Winner of José Aldo and Max Holloway: With a four fight win streak to boast about, a rematch with either Aldo or Holloway for the gold is the most likely option for 'Killer' Cub. Swanson of course met Aldo back in World Extreme Cagefighting in 2009, in a shocking 8 second contest. Fast from the blocks, Aldo sprung with a devastating flying knee, to stop Swanson in the title eliminator, before going on to defeat Mike Brown. Max 'Blessed' Holloway on the other hand, is the last man to defeat Cub, securing a guillotine win just over 2 years ago, so either rematch would present a huge obstacle for Swanson to hurdle. One must remember that the Cub Swanson of 2009, was a tamer animal to the beast he is today, so my money would be on a Cub victory against Aldo rather than Holloway.

Ricardo Lamas title eliminator: Two of the most exciting in the Featherweight Divison going to war once again to establish a #1 contender, who wouldn't want to see this matchup. Grappling and wrestling expert Lamas, has also previous endeavours with Swanson, forcing the tap from the Californian back in 2011 via an arm-triangle, so with both men finally in touching distance of Featherweight gold, why not pair them up again. Similar to the Aldo analogy, I think Cub is far more experienced and dangerous this time around.

'Korean Zombie' title eliminator: What a fight! Returning from conscription in spectacular fashion, Chan Sung Jung scored a devastating first round KO win against Dennis Bermudez to remind everyone just how hard he can hit, and how dominant he could prove to be on return. At only 30 years of age, the South Korean fan favourite could be a force to be reckoned with if he finally reaches the top of the Featherweight mountain. Jung has of course already competed for UFC gold against current champ Aldo, losing via knockout in the fourth round in their UFC 163 main event. His nickname 'The Korean Zombie' refers to Jung's ability to withstand and absorb punishment in almost zombie-esque fashion, so with Jung matched up against the fellow durable Swanson, we may see a 2017 Fight of the Year contender.

Please like, comment and follow for daily UFC news and opinions.

Requests:markeyross198.RM@gmail.com

•Twitter:Markey Martial Arts/Ross_Markey

•Facebook:Markey Martial Arts/RossMarkeyMMA

Ross