UFC Tampa: Cub Swanson vs. Billy Quarantillo Prediction, Stats, and Fight Breakdown

The UFC’s last event of 2024 promises to be quite action-packed. At least the main and co-main events do. After all, Joaquin Buckley with his Greek god physique and devastating power will take on the legendary Colby Covington at UFC Tampa on December 14.

The co-main event is equally as mouth-watering with exciting strikers Cub Swanson and Billy Quarantillo set to battle it out for the fans’ entertainment and bragging rights. While there is not as much on the line as the main event, where the winner will move closer to the 145lbs title picture, it is not difficult to see why Swanson-Quarantillo has fans even more excited than the main event.

UFC Tampa: Cub Swanson vs. Billy Quarantillo stats

What makes Cub Swanson (29-14) and Billy Quarantillo’s (18-6) match-up so exciting is that it promises to be a striking extravaganza, which always finds favor among fans. Swanson and Quarantillo are well-regarded by fans anyway and it’s easy to say why. Swanson lands just under five significant strikes per minute and does so at a very respectable 50% accuracy rate. On the other hand, Quarantillo lands a mind-boggling over seven significant strikes per minute, but not at the cost of accuracy since he still hits at over 56% accuracy.

Neither man has a significant size advantage, either, since Quarantillo is just two inches taller than the 5’8″ Swanson. While both men are mostly strikers, they do have proven ground games which is pretty even. After all, both men average just over one takedown per fifteen minutes in their UFC fights.

But this is not where their similarities end. Swanson and Qurantillo both have mixed records of late, too. Remarkably, not only are both men 3-3 in their last six, but have alternated between their wins and losses! But on December 14 at Tampa, their records will look very different with one man walking away with a win. But who? Well, let’s discuss.

Swanson vs. Quarantillo breakdown and prediction

With the stylistic matchup so similar, age may play a role in the clash. After all, both men strike at a high enough clip to make their gas tank a factor. On that count, Swanson has the short end of the stick just by virtue of his age. But how much shorter is that stick? We think not much, at least not enough that he couldn’t hang with Quarantillo for the stipulated five rounds.

Swanson’s defense is also good enough for him to deal with Quarantillo and his maniacal striking. Of course, Quarantillo’s strike rate is not without its drawbacks. After all, he has been known to lose his shape and trip over himself when in the throes of one of his wild barrages. Not to mention he absorbs nearly six significant strikes per minute from his opponents while Swanson gets hit just over three times per minute.

This is why we see the fight going the distance and the more experienced Swanson, with his excellent, technically sound striking and solid defense doing enough to scrape through a decision win. After, of course, five rounds of fireworks. What are your predictions for UFC Tampa?