MMA Preview – Cub Swanson vs Daniel Pineda at UFC 256
CUB SWANSON VS DANIEL PINEDA FACTS
When is UFC 256? Sunday 13th December, 2020 - 01:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC 256? UFC APEX, Las Vegas, Nevada (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC 256? No tickets are available as this event will take place without spectators
What channel is UFC 256 on? BT Sport 1
Where can I stream UFC 256? BT Sport subscribers can stream the fight online via the BT Sport website
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
CUB SWANSON VS DANIEL PINEDA LOWDOWN
We have not seen fan favourite Cub Swanson (26-11) for over a year where he bounced back from a four-fight skid to hand Kron Gracie his first loss and lesson in MMA. He stumbled against killers – Brian Ortega (submission), Frankie Edgar (unanimous decision), Renato Moicano (submission) and Shane Burgos (split decision) but the veteran reminded everyone of his class against the jiu-jitsu wizard. He showcased his own jiu-jitsu skills a month later competing at the Quintet Ultra but tore his ACL tangling with Jake Shields. However, he has made a quick recovery and back in action.
Daniel Pineda (27-13(2)) welcomes him back to the octagon who received his own welcome back from Herbert Burns back in August. He got cut in 2013 after going 3-4 in the UFC but then went 9-2(2) fighting for the likes of the Legacy Fighting Alliance, Bellator, Fury Fighting Championship and the Professional Fighters League. He resigned for the UFC who tested him with Burns who was on a five-fight win and finishing streak, but Pineda put on a great performance capped off with a savage TKO in the second round.
CUB SWANSON VS DANIEL PINEDA PREDICTION
Pineda has looked great recently, particularly in his last fight although Burns did have a botched weight cut and did not look himself. Swanson has the experience and unpredictable technique to give any featherweight problems, but it was a bad knee injury at Quintet Ultra and his style is all about footwork and movement, so we are not sure how well he has recovered.
They are very similar physically and very well-rounded thriving on high volume striking. If Pineda tries to win this fight on the feet, he will be entering Swanson’s wheelhouse and may struggle to keep up with his pace. This promises to be a very close fight and likely to end in a decision and if Swanson’s knee is 100% he should sway the judges landing more significant strikes.
Prediction: Swanson via Decision
