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Doo Ho Choi and Cub Swanson put on a fight for the ages (Video)

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Doo Ho Choi and Cub Swanson put on a fight for the ages (Video)

As a devoted fan of mixed martial arts and a follower of the UFC scene, I was absolutely captivated by the electrifying fight between Doo Ho Choi and Cub Swanson that took place on Dec. 10, 2016 at UFC 206. This bout, which transpired in the former Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada, was a thrilling display of determination, skill, and heart from two unsung heroes of the sport.

At the UFC Hall of Fame’s Combat Sports Wing, you’ll find a star-studded roster of fighters, ranging from pioneers like Mark Coleman and Matt Hughes to legendary figures such as Anderson Silva and Jon Jones. Yet, there are names less known to casual fans that add to the Wing’s allure. Occasionally, two underappreciated warriors put on a remarkable show that etches their place in MMA history. On December 10, 2016, at UFC 206, Doo Ho Choi and Cub Swanson did precisely that with an unforgettable performance.

Choi, known for his promising potential, caused a big impact as soon as he joined the UFC, defeating his initial three opponents in the first round via knockouts. Following his impressive win against Thiago Tavares and a winning streak of twelve fights, he challenged Swanson. Swanson, an experienced fighter with thirty professional MMA bouts under his belt, had previously faced off against Jens Pulver, José Aldo, Charles Oliveira, Dustin Poirier, and Max Holloway. After securing a unanimous decision victory over Tatsuya Kawajiri, Swanson agreed to the match.

At Toronto’s ex-Air Canada Centre, the crowd pulsed with excitement as the two combatants approached the Octagon, skipping the formal pre-fight ritual. Choi kicked off the action, unleashing a fierce right hook and brutal knees from close range. Swanson adapted, targeting Choi’s lead leg to dull his powerful strikes. Choi pressed on, relentlessly advancing while Swanson instigated clashes. Their contrasting techniques created a captivating spectacle: Choi with classic moves, Swanson employing unusual kicks and sweeping hooks. With mere seconds left, Choi connected with another right hook, landing it effectively on Swanson’s body and face. In the final moments, Choi thwarted Swanson’s takedown attempt, leaving no doubt about his place in the featherweight elite.

Watch Cub Swanson vs. Doo Ho Choi for free

In the second round, following his corner’s advice, Swanson advanced towards Choi with the intention of making him fight off his back foot. Just about one minute into the fight, Swanson landed a string of hooks that momentarily stunned Choi against the cage. The scuffle resulted in Choi managing to seize Swanson. With Swanson leaning against the cage, Choi began throwing punches, leaving Swanson on the verge of defeat. Nevertheless, Swanson was able to establish a clinch and eventually took Choi down. Following an elbow strike that left him reeling, Choi got back up. There were still two minutes remaining in the round.)

As my confidence soared, I didn’t back down from pushing Choi harder and harder. With only about 50 seconds remaining, I managed to inflict more pain on him. The next moment was a whirlwind of action from my side – a cartwheel kick here, a spinning back elbow there, all landing cleanly. It seemed like the fight was mine to win. Suddenly, as if jolted awake by the 10-second warning bell, Choi retaliated with a barrage of knees and punches that left me stunned before the round ended.

In the thrilling finale of their fierce battle, the third round commenced with Swanson and Choi facing off in their corners. The crowd roared, recognizing the epic showdown unfolding before their eyes. They touched gloves as a sign of respect, then resumed their intense exchange. Swanson launched a right hook at Choi, who appeared weary. Unsuccessful in his attempts to take down Swanson, Choi found himself pinned against the cage. However, Swanson’s position was reversed, leaving him on the ground momentarily. With just over a minute remaining, the fight resumed standing, and Swanson once more inflicted significant damage on Choi with a barrage of hooks. The outcome of their intense clash hung in the balance as neither man showed signs of surrender.

Despite their extreme fatigue, the two combatants persisted in putting up a fierce battle. The audience’s cheers reached an intense crescendo, raining down praise upon the two warriors inside the cage. With just 30 seconds remaining, each fighter had thrown 97 significant hits. The contest was remarkably balanced. However, everything shifted suddenly. Swanson responded to Choi’s uppercut with a powerful right hook, following up with a superman punch and relentlessly attacking him for the final 15 seconds. With a spinning back elbow, Swanson knocked Choi off his feet and then piled on top of him, delivering brutal ground strikes until the fight ended.

Choi received extensive medical attention after the intense fight, with the ringside doctor still attending to him when Bruce Buffer declared Swanson the winner via unanimous decision. The audience erupted in cheers once more, making it difficult to hear as they celebrated the remarkable fight they had witnessed. This thrilling matchup was hailed as “Fight of the Night” and named 2016’s best fight by numerous sports outlets.

Swanson came very near to earning a title shot after their legendary match, but unfortunately never got the chance. Choi’s professional journey took a different turn. Obligatory military service and injuries restricted him to only three bouts in the following seven years since that fight. On July 20, he aims for his first win since the knockout of Tavares against Bill Algeo. Despite the contrasting outcomes in their careers, both fighters became part of UFC history when their encounter was inducted into the Fight Wing of the UFC Hall of Fame in July 2022.

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2024-07-18 23:13

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