Last Man Standing

Swanson is a Palm Springs native who started training in 2003 at age 19 to stay out of trouble — he had previously worked with United Cerebral Palsy, helping children with developmental disabilities. He turned pro in 2004 and built his reputation in the WEC, winning multiple Fight of the Night awards and earning a Rigan Machado black belt along the way.

Swanson's WEC and early UFC run established him as one of featherweight's most exciting performers. Standing wars against Jeremy Stephens and Doo Ho Choi earned him multiple bonuses. A walk-off KO over Charles Oliveira in 2015 stands as one of his career highlights. He is the 16th most prolific UFC featherweight winner of all time.

Swanson announced UFC 327 in April 2026 as his retirement fight. He TKO'd Nate Landwehr in the first round in front of President Trump at Kaseya Center in Miami, laid his gloves down in the center of the cage, and officially closed out a 22-year pro career. 'I kind of told my wife this would be the last one, so we'll see.' It was.

Swanson founded Bloodline Combat Sports, a fight team and coaching program that became his primary passion in the final chapter of his career. A devoted family man and Rigan Machado black belt, he has been active in grappling competitions throughout his career. Coaching is his next calling — and he embraces it with the same heart he brought to every fight.