MMA fighter Cub Swanson hails UFC decision to strip Conor McGregor of featherweight title

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) featherweight fighter Cub Swanson has hailed the decision of the promotional company to strip Irish superstar Conor McGregor of the featherweight title, claiming that they should have done that a long time ago.

Swanson will be seen in action at the UFC 206 event which takes place on 10 December at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario where he faces South Korean Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter Doo Ho Choi.

The 33-year-old who has an 8-3 win-loss record in UFC events claimed that the division was at a standstill due to McGregor being champion and that the division could only move forward once the Irishman is out of the picture.

"They should have stripped Conor a long time ago. It's absolutely ridiculous. I see what they were trying to do with him being a two-division champ, but they should have done that right away. He was the one that called the shot of doing 170. Nate Diaz wanted 155 both times. That was ridiculous. I'm glad we are moving forward", said Swanson as quoted by MMAJunkie.

Swanson who feels he should be thought of as a title contender for the featherweight championship knows that a win over Ho Choi on Saturday will put him high on the pecking order for a chance to get a title shot.

"I was upset that I didn't get a title shot after six wins in a row, multiple number one contender fights, but this kid (UFC headliner Max Holloway) had like nine in a row. I'm glad he is getting his shot at the interim belt. I'm glad to see Anthony Pettis, a 155-pound champ, coming down and fighting him. The winner fights Aldo. I think it's awesome and it brings back excitement back to the division again," he said.

UFC 206 Main Fight Card

Catchweight- Max Holloway vs Anthony Pettis

Welterweight- Donald Cerrone vs Matt Brown

Featherweight- Cub Swanson vs Doo Ho Choi

Middleweight- Tim Kennedy vs Kevin Gastelum

Welterweight- Jordan Mein vs Emil Meek