Jose Aldo is wanting again on the WEC with Cub Swanson’s retirement this month carries additional weight as a result of he had been recognized because the final energetic fighter from the WEC period, closing the guide on a promotion that helped push featherweights and bantamweights into the UFC highlight. Swanson retired after beating Nate Landwehr by first-round TKO at UFC 327 on April 11, 2026.
Jose Aldo Displays on WEC Legacy as Cub Swanson Retires From MMA
For Aldo, the story begins with construction as a lot as reminiscence. WEC had already been beneath Zuffa management by the point he arrived, and it operated as a sister promotion to the UFC with a lot of the identical company backing, whereas serving as the principle residence for divisions the UFC didn’t but promote at 145 and 135 kilos. In its remaining kind, WEC centered on 135, 145, and 155 kilos, and the UFC merger later introduced bantamweight and featherweight instantly onto the UFC title map.
In an unique interview with LowKick MMA, with the assistance of Jackpot City Casino, Jose Aldo mirrored:
“Once I obtained there, it was already beneath Zuffa. It was mainly the identical organisation behind the UFC. On the time, lighter weight courses weren’t within the UFC—they have been within the WEC. My era helped change that. I keep in mind folks on Twitter saying WEC fights have been higher than UFC fights. Finally, the UFC began incorporating lighter divisions.”
Aldo’s personal WEC run was brief and decisive. He stopped Cub Swanson in eight seconds at WEC 41 in June 2009, then beat Mike Brown by second-round TKO to win the WEC featherweight title at WEC 44 in November 2009. He completed WEC as its remaining featherweight champion, and when the organizations merged, he carried that championship standing into the UFC because the division was established there. He continued:
“That was the start of my profession. I used to be chasing my goals. From my first to my fifth battle, I felt unstoppable—like a younger child dwelling his dream, operating via everybody. Then got here the battle with Mike Brown for the belt—my fifth battle. That was the fulfilment of a dream. All of the struggling paid off after I received that title.”
Zuffa purchased WEC in December 2006, the promotion narrowed its focus to lighter fighters, and its remaining years grew to become a proving floor for names who later formed UFC title footage, together with Aldo, Dominick Cruz, Anthony Pettis, Demetrious Johnson, Benson Henderson, Urijah Faber, and Swanson. Up to date protection of the merger famous that WEC had earned popularity of its 135- and 145-pound expertise at a time when these courses have been absent from the UFC.
Aldo at featherweight, Cruz at bantamweight, and Anthony Pettis at light-weight. With Swanson now retired, the energetic hyperlink is gone, however Aldo’s feedback make the purpose plainly: WEC helped construct the trail that lighter fighters nonetheless stroll within the UFC right now.
