Cub Swanson’s Tattoos: Story and Meaning Behind the UFC Star’s Popular Inks

UFC 303 will feature a featherweight showdown between Cub Swanson and Andre Fili! Swanson, also known as ‘Killer’, has been a professional MMA fighter since 2004 and is a veteran of the UFC’s featherweight division. He is currently tied with Conor McGregor and Chad Mendes for having the second most knockouts in the 145 lbs division’s history with 6 finishes to his name!

Swanson’s last fight in the Octagon saw him secure a unanimous decision win over Hakeem Dawodu at UFC Vegas 78 in 2023. Known for his unorthodox and highly entertaining fighting style, Swanson has also drawn a lot of attention due to the numerous tattoos he sports all over his body and so, let’s take a look and explore all we know about his ink and the story behind it!

Cub Swanson’s famous chest tattoo

Cub Swanson was born and raised in Palm Springs, California. His real name is Kevin Luke Swanson, but he has used the nickname given to him by his brother in their childhood throughout his professional career.

His chest features the words, ‘SO CAL’ and a bunch of palm trees on his waist as a way to pay homage to where he came from. In an interview with the Desert Sun, Swanson had explained, “A lot of people who are famous that live here, they aren’t from here. It was important for me to show I grew up here and I did something with my life.”

The first tattoos he got on the front of his torso were the palm trees which he got due to them being unique at the time. He later got the ‘SO CAL’ tattoo as a way to avoid having tattoos that didn’t mesh well together. Swanson revealed, “My chest and stomach was what people are going to see when I fight. So Cal, they’ll see that first and they’ll say, ‘What’s up with the palm trees?’ That will narrow it down (to where I’m from).”

Through his tattoos, Swanson proudly displays his journey from Palm Springs to becoming a recognizable figure in the UFC, illustrating that his identity and achievements are deeply intertwined with his hometown.

What is tattooed on Swanson’s back?

The largest piece that Cub Swanson sports on his body is his back tattoo. The elaborate artwork which features the cross as a centerpiece and his last name on top was inspired by the work of French artist, Gustave Dore.

According to Swanson, his back tattoo is a representation of his own personal struggles that involve the struggle between good and evil as he has confessed, “I believe in having balance in life. Doing good things in my everyday life and then being extra mean when I fight is my balance.”

The cross is a tribute to his early life when he was raised in the church and the entire piece is a depiction of his beliefs and a testament to him finding his way in life after a troubled youth that saw him being placed in a juvenile detention center as a teenager.

Other tattoos on the UFC star’s body

Cub Swanson also sports numerous other tattoos on his body which include a tribal tattoo on his left arm that he got when he was 17 just because we wanted to have one! He has stated that, “It doesn’t mean anything to me. But I didn’t know what to get. Afterwards, you learn to get something with meaning to it, so you won’t regret it.”

On his right leg, he sports a collection of tattoos that he has named, ‘The Leg of Death’ and features a Viking skull tattoo that he got after a chance encounter with a random tattoo artist during his trip a trip to Sweden. The ‘leg sleeve’ also features a regular skull along with a series of roses on his calf to represent the Mexican custom of ‘Day of The Dead’, with the bright red roses providing a stunning contrast to the rest of his black inked tattoos.

In conclusion, as Cub Swanson prepares for his fight against Andre Fili at UFC 303, his tattoos remain a powerful symbol of his identity and resilience. They are a permanent reminder of his roots, his battles, and his journey to becoming a celebrated figure in the UFC. Through his ink, Cub Swanson proudly displays his life’s narrative, making him a unique and compelling figure for the fans to rally behind!