Mike Swick

By FCF Staff

Mike Swick will return to the cage for the first time since 2012 this weekend at UFC 189, and veteran says he’s a new-and-improved fighter, thanks to his new camp in Phuket, Thailand.

The 36 year-old is scheduled to fight Alex Garcia this Saturday, which will mark the first time he’s stepped into the Octagon, since Swick was knocked out by Matt Brown at UFC on FOX 5. Since the defeat, Swick has been busy building AKA Thailand in the Asian nation, but the TUF vet has also been honing his skills.

While speaking to UFC.com recently about his upcoming bout, Swick credited his time in Thailand for making him a healthier, and better fighter. Here is some of what Swick had to say:

“The demand is here, but it’s also affordable,” said Swick, who also reported in the interview that he no longer has to take medication for an esophageal condition he battled for some time. “Athletes can come here and train and not have to work two and three jobs like we do in San Jose. It’s not the hustle and bustle of America. There are beaches you can relax in, and there’s no stress. Now add in that Phuket is the land of Muay Thai. This is a fighting culture, and some of the best trainers and champions are here to train with. It’s really hard for authentic Muay Thai trainers to travel outside of the country, so when you come here, they are all around and they love to teach. It inspires a warrior mentality in everyone who comes here.”

Prior to facing Brown in December, 2012, Swick stopped DaMarques Johnson at UFC on FOX 4. “Quick” heads into the bout with Garcia armed with a 15-5 record. The latter is 12-2.

UFC 189 will be hosted by the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. In the main event, Chad Mendes will face Conor McGregor for the interim featherweight title.