When the spotlight last hovered over Alexander Gustafsson, he had just given MMA‘s pound-for-pound kingpin the fight of his professional career.
That was in September. And though UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones ultimately pulled out the decision, Gustafsson’s stirring performance put him in a whole new stratum of popularity.
Like the stoniest of riverboat gamblers, the UFC immediately gathered up that new popularity and placed it all on one square. That piece of the felt is called UFC Fight Pass. This Saturday, Gustafsson headlines UFC Fight Night 37 from London. It is the most prominent event to be featured entirely and exclusively on the company’s new subscription-only digital streaming service.
The exciting and likable Swede is one of the faces of MMA in Europe and the UFC overall. But will fans in the U.S. and elsewhere sign up and tune in to see him face a heavy underdog in British slugger Jimi Manuwa?
In confining Gustafsson and this event to Fight Pass, the UFC may be embracing some long odds of its own, but they could pay off if people turn out to opt in.
We shall see. In the meantime, there is plenty of intrigue up and down the slate. Here are information capsules, predictions and other information for each and every contest on Saturday’s card, which starts with the prelims at 12:30 p.m. ET.