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

UFC stalwart Cub Swanson is set to get back inside the Octagon this weekend as he takes on Billy Quarantillo at UFC on ESPN 63 in Tampa, Florida. The 41-year-old is still going strong in his UFC run although his recent fights have given him some mixed results. However, the situation is the same as Quarantillo, whose recent has been hit-and-miss, similar to that of Swanson’s.

Cub Swanson has been in the fight game for over two decades now. Besides his fighting prowess, the veteran has also drawn a lot of attention due to the numerous tattoos he sports all over his body. So, let’s take a look and explore all we know about his ink and the story behind it!

What does Cub Swanson’s chest tattoo mean?

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 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.

The meaning behind Cub Swanson’s leg tattoo

On his right leg, Cub Swanson 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 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.

Meanwhile, Cub Swanson has a very important tattoo inked on his body. If you’re wondering what that tattoo is, well, it’s his own name. Let’s take a look at that front.

What is tattooed on Cub 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 the French artist, Gustave Dore. According to Cub 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.

Swanson’s other tattoos

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, “It doesn’t mean anything to me. But I didn’t know what to get. Afterward, you learn to get something with meaning to it, so you won’t regret it.”

In conclusion, Cub Swanson’s 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!

Well, keeping tattoos aside, this weekend is a highly important fight for Cub Swanson, and even for Billy Quarantillo, as they are not even in the current featherweight rankings. Who edges past this Saturday? Let us know your thoughts in the comments down below.