TAMPA, Fla. – Joaquin Buckley’s words still don’t sit well with Cub Swanson.
Swanson (29-14 MMA, 14-10 UFC) and Buckley (20-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) got heated over Buckley claiming that this version of him could knock out UFC Hall of Famer Georges St-Pierre. Swanson took it as disrespect to the welterweight great, which sparked a back-and-forth between the two.
Now, Swanson and Buckley are sharing Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 63 card at Amalie Arena (ESPN2, ESPN+). Swanson meets Billy Quarantillo (18-6 MMA, 6-4 UFC) in the co-main event, whereas Buckley faces Colby Covington (17-4 MMA, 12-4 UFC) in the headliner.
“I stand by what I said,” Swanson told MMA Junkie and other reporters at Wednesday’s media day. “I don’t think the younger guys should be disrespecting the older guys, and that’s just what I think. I think that the people that paved the way should always deserve some respect.”
Swanson is yet to run into Buckley, but if he does, he’s expecting an apology for being insulted in his response.
“I’m sure I will (run into him), and I’m not going to back down from what I said,” Swanson said. “I was a fan of his until he opened his mouth a little bit. I’ve got no ill will towards him, but like I said, I think people need to show respect.
“An apology for calling me a ‘hoe,’ because that’s one thing that I’m not. I’ve stayed true to myself, I’ve stayed true to who I am my entire career so, the name calling was just a little over the line. But, I was a fan of his until that moment.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 63.
