Sports are a reflection of life. It's something Cub Swanson understands. 

During 11 years as a pro fighter, the featherweight has balanced the pursuit of achievement and glory with a desire to educate himself. His commitment has taken him to the elite level of the UFC’s hard-hitting, 145-pound fold. But it is his dedication to learning that has taken focus over the past year. 

After struggling to fulfill his potential early in his career, Swanson found his groove in recent years. But things would take a hard turn in 2014. Despite Swanson’s claim that he was promised multiple title opportunities by UFC brass, those matchups never materialized, and a pair of high-profile losses to Frankie Edgar and Max Holloway seemingly erased any chance of landing a lucrative fight. 

After those losses, Swanson realized his fire was gone. He needed time away to deal with his emotions and figure out how to travel the uncertain road he found himself on. But Swanson has been a fighter for most of his life, and his ability to lean into adversity made him one of the best in the world. In the darkest hours of his career, Swanson used that tenacity to rekindle the warrior inside. 

“The fire is definitely lit, but a lot of things played into why I had to work to get it going again,” Swanson said. “It wasn’t just the repetitiveness of training. It was more about dealing with the letdown of not getting a title fight. It was an emotional roller coaster where I ultimately didn’t get what I believe I deserved. Then I lost those two fights, and it felt like I was digging a deeper hole. I just needed to get away. I needed time to think and remember what I love about fighting, training and challenging myself. And once I was able to do that, everything that goes into being the fighter I am became fun again.”

Swanson's striking coach, Brandon Gibson, has a better view than anyone on Swanson's resurgence. Gibson has a deep appreciation for the creativity and drive Swanson brings to the table, and the coach said those traits have drastically improved during this fight camp.

“Violent. He looks violent,” Gibson said. “He has been working his butt off. He's ready to do some damage. The Cub I’ve worked with during this camp has something different in his eyes. He’s ready to get back in there.”

Swanson is eager to regain his status in one of the most competitive divisions in the UFC. He’ll have his first chance when he steps in against Hacran Dias on Saturday night at UFC on Fox 19. Swanson believes his time away from the cage reignited his quest for respect. That is a scary thought, because Swanson is at his best when operating with a chip on his shoulder.

“I know Hacran is a tough fighter from a great camp. But I just believe I’m better than him everywhere this fight could go," Swanson said. "During my time away, I focused on the holes in my game. I worked diligently to shore them up. I believe I was successful in doing so, and that is going to make it tough for Dias to beat me. 

"I want to go out there and dominate him from start to finish and show everyone ‘Killer Cub’ is back.”