Swanson outclasses Lobov for unanimous decision win to cap UFC Nashville

Cub Swanson let it all hang out with his reputation on the line.

The perennial contender rode his crafty pace control and varied striking arsenal to a unanimous decision over the unranked, but game, Artem Lobov in the featherweight main event of UFC Fight Night 108 in Nashville on Saturday.

After a closely contested first round, "Killer Cub" opened up his offense and regaled the Bridgestone Arena with his notoriously creative standup for the remainder of the bout to secure his fourth straight win and reserve the right to call out the winner of June's featherweight championship unification bout between Jose Aldo and Max Holloway - the last man to beat him.

The 209 significant strikes Swanson landed are reportedly the most for a single fight in UFC/WEC featherweight history.

Swanson and Lobov went blow for blow in the opening frame, and while "The Russian Hammer" tagged him with his unorthodox stylings and scored an early takedown, Swanson remained stoic and scored points with his swift mitts.

The 33-year-old exposed the tier that separated him and Lobov in Round 2, as he settled into a rhythm and found a home for his left hook and Rolodex of kicks before taking the fight to the ground. He effortlessly took Lobov's back in an effort to sink in a rear-naked choke, but the Russian wouldn't be subdued.

Swanson was having a blast in the Octagon by the third round, befuddling Lobov by controlling the pace and keeping him guessing with his virtuosity on the feet - including a cartwheel kick and a spinning back elbow - to pull further ahead on the scorecards.

To his credit, Lobov fought through fatigue and dug deep to tag Swanson in desperate pursuit of a finish in the latter rounds, but Killer Cub had long found his groove by then, with a picture-perfect judo toss marking the sole break in the surgery he performed on the Russian in the striking exchanges.

With a professional record a hair above .500, the 30-year-old Lobov was written off by many as chum for a proven destroyer in Swanson ahead of Saturday's card, but the SBG Ireland member raised his stock immeasurably by going the distance - thanks to his chin and sheer resolve - in his first UFC main event.

The "TUF 22" finalist saw a two-fight win streak snapped and his Octagon record fall to 2-3 with the decision loss.