Steve Swanson is perhaps best known for an affiliation with his younger brother, Cub Swanson from WEC. He is well on his way to changing that and becoming a name himself after beginning his career with 2 wins. For his third effort, he will be taking on Thomas Casarez, a surging prospect himself, at Called Out MMA II in Ontario, California on Sunday.
With his brother and other top level trainers at his back, Swanson is no doubt an untouted MMA prospect. MMA Recap's Matt Clarmont had the chance to speak with him about training and his opponent. Called Out plans to mold themselves into a triple-A organization that develops the best that southern California has to offer. Swanson stands ready to fulfill that role.
How has your training been going?
It's been going really good. I started my camp in Palm Springs, where I'm from. I took the fight on short notice but we did really well. We had some guys come down from Albuquerque and Minnesota to help us train. It started off really good. Now we're in Albuquerque, higher altitude, training out here.
So you're over at Greg Jackson's place then?
Yes we are. Greg Jackson's a great school.
Who has been helping you the most to prepare for this fight?
Definitely my brother, Cub Swanson and we have a great boxing coach who coaches really big time boxers. His name is Joel Diaz. I also have a jiu jitsu coach named Mike Morello.
What do you know about your opponent on Sunday?
I've heard a few things about him. He comes from a submission school. I heard he's a tough guy, I believe his record is 3-2 and he's won his last 3 fights as pro so he should be a tough guy.
What areas are you focusing on the most for this fight?
Definitely my takedown defense. I believe that the guy is probably going to take me down, coming from a submission school. That's been working out really well. Definitely my cardio too.
How has your experience been working with Called Out?
It's been good. I actually went to a fight they had before, it was a good turnout and I'm looking forward to fighting for these guys.
This fight is going to be on the arena level and it's a bigger show than you're used to. Are you nervous at all to be fighting on a bigger show?
Actually I'm not, I've been wanting to stepping it up myself. I know that I'm getting out of my comfort zone and I wanted to do that. I'm not nervous at all. It's going to be a great experience.
Do you have any thoughts about the fight this weekend?
I'm really looking forward to it. I've had 4 or 5 fights that people dropped out [of] in the last 6 months so I'm just ready to get in there and get it going.
Is there anyone you want to thank for your upcoming fight?
I want to thank my school, Tru MMA. I have a few sponsors. Ink Sanity Tattoos. Gotta get that guy in there. Also Full Steam Ahead, Magnolia Auto Insurance, these guys all helped me with everything so I really want to thank all those guys.
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